Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Cristian Romero will not be in attendance for Tottenham’s relegation decider at home to Everton on Sunday.
Romero, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, has travelled to Argentina as his boyhood club Belgrano prepares to face River Plate in the Primera Division final.
The Spurs captain had been expected to be in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, with the north Londoners looking to secure Premier League survival on the final day of the season against Everton.
Instead, Romero was pictured at Belgrano’s training ground on Thursday, and De Zerbi has confirmed the 28-year-old will not return to England ahead of this weekend.
“He spoke with the medical staff, and together they decided to go to Argentina to complete the rehab with the Argentine medical staff,” De Zerbi said in his pre-match press conference.
“We spoke last week. With me, he show always he wants to stay with us. He is already injured. I'm not stupid. If there is any player who thinks for himself, I can't be the same Roberto. But with Cuti I can’t say nothing.”
Romero has been a visible presence off the pitch during De Zerbi’s time in charge and could be seen celebrating on the touchline as Mathys Tel scored the opening goal against Leeds last Monday.
But his decision to return to his native Argentina, where he has been training with Belgrano in preparation for the World Cup, has not gone down well with Spurs supporters.
The World Cup winner, whose Spurs future is in doubt heading into the summer, has been widely criticised for deciding not to attend arguably the biggest game in the club’s history.
De Zerbi says he understands supporter frustration, but added that the decision was made with the medical staff as Romero steps up his recovery ahead of the World Cup.
“100 per cent I understand (supporter frustration),” he continued.
“The decision is with the medical staff. I have not time to lose energy, we have to be focused just on the game. We have players good enough to achieve our target.
“Not all leaders are the same. Ben Davies spoke to me today and asked if he could stay with the team. Romero is preparing for the World Cup.”
Asked if Romero has played his final game for Spurs, De Zerbi said: “I don't know ... After tomorrow there is no trophy, no bonus. There is more than that. There is the history of the club, the pride of the players and their families, the dignity of everyone.
“I can't lose energy on the future. I'm not stupid. I have clear ideas of what I want but there is a process.”