Cristian Romero will not be in attendance to watch Tottenham’s crucial Premier League relegation decider against Everton.
Cristian Romero’s departure for Argentina has ignited a barrage of criticism, particularly as Tottenham Hotspur faces the scary prospect of losing their top-flight status for the first time in 49 years.
Spurs take on Everton at home on the final day of the season, needing a point to preserve their Premier League status. They missed out on a glorious opportunity to seal their fate earlier this week when they travelled to Chelsea, who continued their dominance over the London counterparts by winning the contest 2-1.
Ahead of Tottenham’s biggest game in their club history, reputable South American journalist Tim Vickery revealed that Cristian Romero will not be in attendance on Sunday. This is because the central defender, who has been ruled out of the season after suffering a knee injury against Sunderland in April, has opted to instead return to his homeland to watch his former club Belgrano take on River Plate in a title decider.
Roberto De Zerbi makes admission on Cristian Romero’s actions to skip Tottenham vs. Everton
Romero’s actions just before the pivotal Premier League relegation decider against the Toffees have outraged the Tottenham supporters, who feel it is a disrepute and a lack of self-obligation to the club he’s contracted to. Now, the Tottenham boss has reacted to the controversy.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, De Zerbi confirmed that Romero is currently in Argentina, continuing his rehabilitation from a knee injury at his boyhood club, Belgrano, in preparation for the upcoming World Cup. While initially deciding to stay vague on the controversy surrounding his skipper, the Italian eventually acknowledged the widespread disappointment within the fanbase.
“He spoke with the medical staff. Together they decided to go to Argentina to complete the rehab with the Argentinean medical staff. We spoke last week. With me, he always showed his desire to stay with us. He is injured. I’m not stupid,” De Zerbi said (h/t Football London).
“If I understand that there is any player who thinks for himself before the club, I can’t be the same Roberto. But with Cuti Romero I can’t say nothing because with me he has been correct from when I started until now.”
De Zerbi cannot afford to lose energy and concentration due to Romero’s actions off the field
De Zerbi and his players have to stay focused and together heading into the most decisive game in the club’s rich history. The entire Spurs squad, along with the gaffer, must not get themselves distracted by Romero’s off-field actions.
The Argentine has been well-known for creating headlines with his antics on and off the pitch. As he is currently out injured, the central defender has no obligation to stay at the club and support his teammates in pushing for top-flight survival.
Romero has totally shifted his focus towards getting fully fit ahead of next month’s World Cup, something our fans must have understood by now. There is no point in losing sleep over a player who seemingly doesn’t want to be a part of our club next season, with or without relegation.