Thomas Frank must be given credit for contract news coming from Tottenham Hotspur.
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Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero has signed a new four-year deal with the club in what is a major boost to Thomas Frank and credit to the new manager.
Prior to the Europa League triumph and departure of Ange Postecoglou, the 27-year-old looked ready to quit the club. Romero had dropped hints at a potential exit, hinting at a desire to keep “growing and also going to new places to keep improving”. He added that he’d love to play in La Liga.
With reports that Atletico Madrid were monitoring a transfer, those comments were pretty incendiary and it seemed just a question of when and not if the player left. An emotional parting message to Postecoglou also hinted at a disapproval at the club’s decision to sack the manager.
Cristian Romero linked with Atletico Madrid transfer
Romero wrote: “Ange,thank you for these two incredible seasons. You’re a fantastic coach, but above all, a great person who deserves the best.
“From day one you paved the way despite the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist. Beyond everything, we won a trophy and went down in the history of this beautiful club, which is the only thing that matters. I wish you the best because you deserve the best, and thank you for everything.”
In July, Spurs were linked with the likes of Maxime Esteve, Marc Guehi and Japhet Tanganga. Frank himself also couldn’t promise that the player would stay. When asked about the defender earlier this summer, he said: "Right now he’s here, that’s what I’m focusing on. As long as players are here, I’m training them, I’m playing with them.”
Thomas Frank coup as Spurs confirm new contract
It’s therefore quite the turn of events to see Romero sign a new four-year deal and extend his stay at Spurs until 2029. That’s credit to the work Frank has done to prove to the player that he can benefit from playing under him and in the manager’s plans for the club.
Keeping the World Cup winner is just as big a coup as a marquee signing, such as £55 million man Mohammed Kudus. Frank’s work to persuade Romero to stay is all the more important given that Son Heung-min left the club to join LAFC.
To have lost the experience of those two huge players could have been detrimental in helping oversee the transition to Frank’s management this season. Speaking about the player over the weekend, Frank said: "I think when you name a captain it’s because you think he’s the best that can help the team no matter what, now and also in the future. It’s not really linked with the contract situation. Of course he’s a very good player so I want him to stay longer.
"I would say I’ve worked with him now closely for more than five weeks. I’ve seen a very, very committed player who’s trained very well. The staff have said to me they’ve never seen him train that well. He’s in a very good place. I see a player that will want to lead the team and push the team."
In other news, Tottenham 'seriously considering' £60m bid for La Liga winger after Everton, Bournemouth and West Ham offers.