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Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero has admitted he is “not having the best time” amid the ongoing relegation struggles.

On the face of it, a return of six goals and four assists in 31 games in all competitions is a good return for a central defender.

However, dig a little deeper and Romero has been something of a liability for Tottenham this season.

He has picked up eight yellow cards in the Premier League alone, and has been sent off twice. Indeed, Romero’s second dismissal led to a four-game ban.

The Argentine has been linked with Real Madrid this summer. Now, Romero has made, arguably, a worrying admission during Tottenham’s fight to stay in the Premier League.

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A different Cristian Romero?

Many ex-players and pundits have questioned whether Romero is the right man to captain Tottenham, especially due to his indiscipline. After all, how can you lead a team if you keep getting suspended?

Romero has repeatedly talked about playing in La Liga during his time at Tottenham, and right now, it seems a summer exit is gaining momentum.

And going by his latest comments, Tottenham fans may have a right to be worried about their defender, who, according to Sofascore, averages 1.3 interceptions per game, 2.5 tackles, and 3.9 ball recoveries

He said: “I’m not really having the best time to be honest but beyond everything, I have to get myself right, I have to focus on the club now.

“I need to switch on the Tottenham mindset, try to get out of the bad situation that we are in and like I always do, give everything in every training session and in every match, and try to move forward.”

While he has vowed to come back better, his first concession is a troubling one. Is this the kind of proclamation you want to hear from your supposed leader in a relegation fight?

Incidentally, his Sofascore season rating is 7.11, his passing accuracy is at 87 per cent, he has created four big chances, and he has made one error that has led to a goal.

Tottenham haven’t won in the league since 28 December, more than three months and two managers ago.

Now Roberto De Zerbi has been tasked with keeping them up and one of his duties may be to get Romero going again.

Ange Postecoglou paints rosier picture of Romero

More than six weeks ago in February, former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou stood up for Romero amid mounting criticism of the Tottenham ace.

“I love him,” Postecoglou declared. “I love him and he does play on the edge, but, mate, he’d scare people at training and I love the way he talks.

“Would you rather have Roy [Keane] in your team or against you? We’d never have won [the Europa League final] without Romero.

“Kick-off’s about to happen and he’s taking our team into Man Utd’s half for the huddle because our supporters are down that end.

“He’s not scared of anything, mate. He’s a winner. I love winners. We would never have won the Europa League without [Romero] and I think you need characters like that in your dressing room.”

Romero did star in Tottenham’s Europa League win last season. And he has undoubted quality. But would he be saying such a thing under Postecoglou? Perhaps he did regale Postecoglou with his doubts before shining on the pitch.

The Aussie did concede that Romero can cross the line but on the whole, he is a net positive. Right now, he may not be. Romero has seven games to change a less than favourable narrative.

Rodrigo Bentancur could be Roberto De Zerbi’s number one midfielder at Tottenham Hotspur due to the positions he takes up on the pitch.

The Uruguayan is currently out injured for the Lilywhites, but upon his return, he will fancy his chances.

With a new manager at the helm, each and every one of Spurs’ squad will have to impress the Italian, particularly with relegation on the line.

However, Bentancur certainly holds an advantage over everyone else at the North London club.

Ahead of Bentancur’s return from injury, he may end up slotting seamlessly into De Zerbi’s methods.

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Why Rodrigo Bentancur will be key for Roberto De Zerbi

Bentancur is currently scheduled to return sometime in April after undergoing surgery on a hamstring tear back in January.

Ahead of the Premier League run-in, that will be a welcome boost for De Zerbi, with the midfielder comparable to his options at Brighton during his final season.

However, that is not the only similarity that the 28-year-old holds with De Zerbi’s typical midfield profile.

Throughout much of the season, the heatmaps of the current midfield options at Spurs showcase a scatter map of their positioning.

They come centrally but also drift wide on plenty of occasions. That is everyone other than Bentancur.

As seen by the heatmap via Sofascore below, the Uruguayan often stays central, with large patches of red and orange in those areas.

Now, below, the heatmap of Carlos Baleba for Brighton in the 2023-2024 season looks eerily similar to Bentancur’s from this campaign.

One issue could arise from the Uruguayan’s 85 per cent passing accuracy, with De Zerbi having both Gilmour and Baleba maintaining a 92 per cent average in 2023-2024.

If Bentancur cannot match this level of precision, then it could cause issues in build-up, but one thing is certain: he already plays in the spaces De Zerbi will expect from him.

However, his superior ground duel success of 59.6 per cent could offset that deficiency, especially with De Zerbi told to compromise on his principles.

What is the latest on Rodrigo Bentancur’s return?

The last official update about Bentancur came from Igor Tudor, who stated that the midfielder was “progressing well”.

Before the international break, the 27-year-old had started to train with the ball again, so a return is just around the corner, barring any setback.

De Zerbi will certainly welcome the comeback of any of Tottenham’s injury worries right now.

Kieran Trippier will be leaving Newcastle United as a free agent this summer, and Tottenham Hotspur should look to reunite with him if they are relegated to the Championship.

Now 35, Trippier has played 34 times for Newcastle in all competitions this season, showing that he’s still got plenty left to offer as he enters the twilight of his career.

Back in the summer of 2015, however, the right-back was making what was then the biggest transfer of his career, as he left Burnley to sign for Tottenham.

Arriving for a reported fee of just £3.5million, the then-24-year-old went on to play over 110 times for Spurs, and was part of the team that made it to the Champions League final in the 2018-19 season.

He left Tottenham on a permanent transfer for Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, and remained there until January 2022 when he signed for Newcastle.

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What have Newcastle and Kieran Trippier said about his exit?

A key part of one of Tottenham’s most successful eras in the Premier League, Trippier was key to helping Spurs record a fourth, two thirds and a second-placed finishes during his four years in N17.

Undoubtedly one of the best attacking right-backs the English top flight has seen over the course of his spells with Spurs and Newcastle respectively, the veteran defender remains a well-loved figure among the Lilywhites faithful.

However, with the emergence of Tino Livramento, Newcastle now feel ready to usher in a new era at the right-back position on Tyneside, and that will mean Trippier is moved on from this summer.

As confirmed across their media channels on Saturday, Trippier will become a free agent at the end of the season, bringing to an end a brilliant four-and-a-half years at St James’ Park.

Writing via their official X account, Newcastle said: “Thank you, Tripps. After four-and-a-half years of incredible service to Newcastle United, we can confirm that Kieran Trippier will leave the club this summer when his contract expires.

“Kieran arrived in January 2022 with the club in the relegation zone and played a crucial role as he went on to lift the club’s first domestic trophy in 70 years.”

Meanwhile, Trippier himself is quoted as saying in the replies to that post: “The time has come to leave this amazing club after four-and-a-half years.

“This is where I’ve felt most at home. It’s emotional, and I’m really going to miss it.

“I want to say a massive thank you to the supporters for all the support through the good and the bad times. You’ve always supported me, always stood by me.”

Tottenham must explore Trippier free transfer if relegated

As of right now, it’s unclear whether Trippier intends to continue playing or not, but if he does, then Tottenham have to get on the phone to him if they end up being relegated to the Championship.

He’s probably unlikely to get another Premier League move at this stage, and given his age, he may also not have much interest in heading abroad, and besides, he’s already done that with Atletico.

But, given all the exits that are sure to happen if Spurs go down this season, bringing in someone like Trippier who knows the Club, the fans love, and with his vast experience and leadership, would surely be a no-brainer for Tottenham.

Spurs’ team in the Championship would likely be filled with academy talents and built around the core of remaining first-team youngsters, but wouldn’t it be fabulous to see their promotion push captained by Tripps? It just looks right.

Luka Vuskovic has once again stated his desire to play with his brother at Hamburg – something Tottenham Hotspur fans are tiring of.

Tottenham signed Vuskovic from Hajduk Split last summer, before sending him out on loan to the German side for the 2025-26 season.

The 19-year-old centre-back is earning rave reviews at the Bundesliga outfit, and that has led to transfer links with Barcelona, no less.

While the 6ft 4in defender is starring for Hamburg, his brother, Mario (24), is currently serving a doping ban that runs until later this year.

While Tottenham are fighting to stay in the Premier League, Vuskovic’s comments about his future may be a little tone deaf.

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Luka Vuskovic’s comments frustrate Tottenham fans

Both Vuskovic brothers came up through the ranks at Hajduk but by the time the younger sibling made his first-team debut in 2023, Mario had joined Hamburg.

That same year, his older brother was banned for two years after testing positive for EPO, which stimulates red blood cell production and can boost energy levels. That suspension was extended and will now end on 15 November, 2026.

In the past, Vuskovic has spoken about his desire to play alongside his brother, suggesting he would be open to having another season at Hamburg.

While he acknowledges he is a Tottenham player, his thoughts appear to lie away from the north London team.

In a new interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he said: “After this season, I’ll be a Tottenham player again.

“I have a contract there until 2030. It’s also my dream to play alongside my brother, Mario, at Hamburg. I would give everything for that. Spurs know that too.”

That has not gone down too well in some quarters, with one Tottenham fan tweeting: “Why would one care about playing with his brother so much, this is your career?”

One Tottenham fan mused: “There’s no way we let him stay there for another season, but deep down we know he doesn’t want to play for us next season because of his brother, it would be smart to sign his brother in the window just so he stays.”

However, some said it is important to keep him happy as Tottenham have a star of the future on their hands.

Roberto De Zerbi factor could be key

Tottenham are having a wretched season but perhaps Roberto De Zerbi can save them from relegation to the Championship.

After initially wanting to recruit him in the summer, De Zerbi joined Tottenham on a five-year deal this week, despite consternation among many fans.

But the Italian has a good managerial reputation and is known for trusting young players to shine in big games, something he repeatedly did at Brighton.

The 46-year-old has seven matches to keep Spurs up, with the north London team just outside the relegation zone.

After just one training session, reports suggest Tottenham’s players have been mightily impressed with De Zerbi, as hopes grow of a survival push.

And if Spurs do stay up, De Zerbi could be a big draw factor for players such as Vuskovic, but also in the transfer market.

Roberto De Zerbi‘s appointment at Tottenham Hotspur has left former Newcastle United and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given worried.

The Italian head coach has replaced Igor Tudor, who left Tottenham just over a month after taking over from Thomas Frank.

The 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest before the international break leaves Spurs 17th in the Premier League and one point adrift of the drop zone.

The former Marseille and Brighton head coach has a huge task on his hands to keep the Lilywhites in the top flight, as the last seven games will determine their Premier League status.

Some might be pleased that Tottenham appointed De Zerbi, but Given is among those who are worried that he could repeat his poor start to life as Brighton manager with Spurs.

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Shay Given concerned about Roberto De Zerbi’s start as Brighton manager

De Zerbi is known for his aggressive style of football, although given his history with previous clubs, it’s a move that could go incredibly badly for Tottenham.

Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate podcast, Given is not enthusiastic about the appointment of the Italian head coach.

He said: “Tudor was classed as a disciplinarian, someone who is no-nonsense in his methods, but De Zerbi is also volatile.

“We’re talking about a group of players that are very fragile, and you’re bringing in another disciplinarian.

“Maybe they did need someone like Harry Redknapp, who would put his arms around the players.

“If De Zerbi loses his first five games, Tottenham are down. He didn’t win in his first five games at Brighton, so it’s a big concern.”

As the table further up the page shows, he won only two points from his first five matches in charge of Brighton in 2022.

While De Zerbi did turn things around and lead the Seagulls to a sixth-placed finish in the 2022-23 campaign, he doesn’t have the time to start slowly at Spurs.

Tottenham have to secure a win in their next match away to Sunderland, and if De Zerbi does get off to a winless start, then the pressure will only increase on his shoulders.

These stats show how tough it will be for De Zerbi at Tottenham

Of course, Given is right to raise this concern, especially as Spurs can’t afford to make any more mistakes.

Tottenham have the worst home record in the top flight this season, losing 10 of their 16 matches in N17.

They have also won just 30 points from 31 Premier League games this season, which is their joint-lowest return after 31 games of a league campaign, after doing so in 1914-15 (30).

Tottenham are the only side without a Premier League win so far in 2026, drawing five and losing seven of their 12 games.

Only three sides have had longer runs without a win from the start of a calendar year, all of whom went on to be relegated (Sunderland, 17 in 2002-03; Derby, 18 in 2007-08; Middlesbrough, 14 in 2016-17).

These figures show how badly Spurs have fallen over the last few months, and De Zerbi has to have an immediate impact in N17.

If he doesn’t, then comparisons to his start at Brighton will be made, which could ultimately lead to Premier League relegation.

Tottenham Hotspur will be fearful about the future of Micky van de Ven moving closer to the summer.

The Netherlands international has undoubtedly been one of the Lilywhites’ best signings in recent years after his switch from Wolfsburg.

His combination of pace, power and a cool head has put him in conversation with the best in his position across the Premier League.

Those shouts have certainly gone quiet in recent weeks and months with Spurs in such a mess on and off the pitch.

Van de Ven may see his future away from Tottenham as we now assess what we know about his contract situation in North London.

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What is Micky van de Ven’s contract situation at Tottenham?

There is no hiding from how poor this season has been in N17, as no one player has truly covered themselves in glory.

It says a lot that the centre-back has seriously struggled himself despite having a positive career for Spurs until this point.

Alongside Cristian Romero, various head coaches have trusted the duo and haven’t truly been repaid for that over the past 12 months.

Even with that being the case, Tottenham won’t want to lose van de Ven anytime soon, given his quality.

That faith is showcased by the six-year deal he signed after his move from the Bundesliga that could keep him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2029.

Reports suggest that he is paid £90,000 per week as part of that deal, equating to a yearly salary in the region of £4.6million.

That obviously wouldn’t be possible in the Championship, so Van de Ven has to do his best to save Tottenham from relegation, or he will be on his way out.

When could Van de Ven leave Tottenham?

The situation in North London is so perilous right now that anything could truly happen between now and the end of the season.

Even with Roberto De Zerbi in charge, there is no guarantee that Premier League football will be played in N17 next campaign.

If it is to be Championship action, it is increasingly likely that Van de Ven will be on his way out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

There is every chance that he could force a way out even if the Lilywhites remain in the Premier League after two dreadful domestic seasons.

There are so many unanswered questions surrounding Tottenham right now, but not all of them are going to have the answers fans want to hear.

Yves Bissouma has been told he should be the first out of the door at Tottenham Hotspur after Roberto De Zerbi‘s appointment.

Bissouma’s contract expires in the summer, and he has not been offered fresh terms by the club at the moment.

He was nearly sold to Galatasaray in the summer, but a deal fell through, and the club have been told to forget about a potential windfall.

The Mali international has regularly irked previous managers by showing up late and being caught inhaling nitrous oxide multiple times.

Tottenham will likely cut ties in the summer, which is the right move for all parties.

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What is Bissouma confusion, and why should Tottenham let him leave?

John Wenham believes Archie Gray is the only Tottenham player who is safe, and thinks Bissouma should depart.

He is also confused by the idea that he has worked with De Zerbi before, as the two did not overlap at Brighton.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, he said: “I’m still of the opinion that Yves Bissouma should be leaving Tottenham in seven weeks’ time when his contract is up and just being released on a free, that’s an easy decision to make.

“I mean, it will not be long until, as has happened with every single manager we’ve had since Bissouma joined the club, be that Conte, be that Ange, be that Tudor, whoever, it’s not long until he upsets the managers because he turns up late.

“Ange made a big deal of trying to make him a leader, and then he filmed himself doing balloons and that sort of stuff, we just need to cut ties with Bissouma, have a fresh start.

“He’s an easy one, first one out the door in the summer because his contract’s up, there’s no need to renew it.

“Don’t worry about renewing it and trying to get six million euros from Galatasaray. Just move him on, just move him on.

“Clean slate, so I saw some people suggesting he’ll get a new start, and I think maybe they were just confused thinking that De Zerbi was his manager at Brighton, but he wasn’t.”

Where does the confusion come from?

The fact that both were at Brighton at the same time is where the confusion stems from.

However, Bissouma departed the Seagulls in June 2022, which was before the Italian manager moved to the AMEX Stadium.

De Zerbi was not appointed by the south coast side until September 2022, three months after the player had joined the Lilywhites.

Tottenham Hotspur fans are beginning to feel hopeful about their future under Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian head coach takes the reins from Igor Tudor, who lost his job just over a month after taking over from Thomas Frank.

De Zerbi makes the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having recently left Marseille, after guiding the French giant to the Champions League last season.

Returning to the Premier League after a previous spell with Brighton, the 46-year-old has spoken in his first interview at the North London club.

As a result, Spurs fans are beginning to love the things that they are hearing from their new manager.

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Tottenham fans loving what they are hearing from Roberto De Zerbi

De Zerbi joins the club knowing that the current predicament is far from ideal, but acknowledges that he is in it for the long haul in North London.

Joining Brighton in 2022, he guided the Seagulls to the Europa League after a sixth-place finish, overseeing some of the best football across the division at the time.

Speaking to the club’s media team, De Zerbi said: “I have a big responsibility, it’s a big challenge and I’m looking forward to start and to work with the players and to win some games.

“I think we have the right qualities to come out from this moment. I believe in the players. I think we have to remember who we are and who the players are, because we have very big players and we have to work on their confidence and the qualities of them. They have to show what they are and what they are used to playing.”

Reacting to his first interview at the helm, Tottenham fans are eager to see whether the Italian is able to sort out the Lilywhites’ defensive issues.

One of the main criticisms throughout the entire campaign has been the reserved setup in North London, something that supporters feel will not be the case under De Zerbi.

Spurs sit 17th in the Premier League, with the Lilywhites hovering just above the drop zone following their 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

And with the club looking to climb out of trouble, it is clear to see who has the blame from the supporters.

But most importantly, there is a positive atmosphere around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with fans appearing to be in full support of De Zerbi.

With Tottenham out of the FA Cup, they have a week to prepare for their next league clash against Sunderland, where three points will be a must as they look to build momentum from here until the end of the term.

De Zerbi has an important role for Tottenham in the long run

The current remit for Tudor is to guide Spurs to safety after a dismal campaign so far.

But he holds an important role in preparing Tottenham for the future, should they secure their Premier League status come May.

Following the Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou last May, the feeling was that Spurs were entering a new era, with the trophy drought finally over.

That has not proven to be the case, with a lack of discernible direction once again costing Tottenham in comparison to their ‘big six’ rivals.

Tudor will play an important role in drilling an idea in at Spurs – one involving the attacking football that supporters are desperate for, alongside the required fight to secure their place in the division.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur appointment may have saved the club from a big Luka Vuskovic blunder.

The Croatian joined the club last summer, before immediately being sent out on loan to Hamburg, who were promoted to the Bundesliga after a seven-year exodus.

In Germany, the towering centre-back has shone, while also becoming a firm fan favourite at the Volksparkstadion.

As a result, reports have continued to circulate surrounding his future at Tottenham – thrown into the air by the dismal season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, with De Zerbi’s appointment now confirmed, a strong end to the season could see Vuskovic in action for the Lilywhites next term.

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Luka Vuskovic is a Hamburg fan favourite

Immediately following his Spurs arrival, the young defender was sent to Hamburg, following in the footsteps of his brother Mario Vuskovic, who is currently serving a ban for doping.

His name immediately turned the defender into a cult hero at the Volksparkstadion, with his performance at the heart of defence furthering this connection, as Polzin’s side charge towards safety following their ascent from the 2. Bundesliga last May.

Naturally, his performances have attracted attention not just from higher-ups at Hamburg looking to secure him for another year, but from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona too.

Loaning out the defender made sense at the start of the season, with Vuskovic in need of minutes on the pitch.

However, nobody in their wildest dreams could have predicted the current predicament for Spurs, leaving his future somewhat in the air, with their being absolutely no chance of the young Croat playing in the Championship.

With one last roll of the dice to save their season, Spurs announced the appointment of De Zerbi this week – the move that could decide the future of both Tottenham and Vuskovic.

Roberto De Zerbi arrival is a risk that could pay off for Tottenham and Vuskovic

The Italian returns to the Premier League after two years away, having previously guided Brighton to the Europa League, playing some of the best football seen across the division.

While the immediate goal is to secure survival, the chance is there to begin a new project under a manager full of innovative ideas, with exciting football almost guaranteed.

Operating in a counter-attacking side at the moment, he has become a talismanic figure when the Red Shorts do have the ball, with 1,830 touches, 45 in the opposition box, nine chances created, and 1,135 successful passes.

At 19, Vuskovic has his entire career ahead of him, and with departures for Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero all but certain, he would return to Spurs as an immediate starter in the Premier League.

Should they secure survival, the summer will spark a huge reset for a club in desperate need of it.

Multiple players will be set to leave, while there is an exciting young core in North London, with Vuskovic at the very centre of that.

Given the quality of the squad, De Zerbi should be able to go on and secure survival, and this could decide the future of one of, if not Europe’s most promising defender.

Mickey van de Ven could be key for Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Italian arrives at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a manager with plenty of ideas and a definitive identity to his style.

Often times, head coaches will need the right players at their disposal to truly make how they play football the most efficient and successful way.

With De Zerbi joining late in the season, he will not be able to integrate the types of profile he needs right from the first whistle.

However, ahead of De Zerbi’s first game, the role of Van de Ven could be crucial to making his style work from the start.

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Why Micky van de Ven is perfect for Roberto De Zerbi’s style

The Italian’s build-up style by inviting pressure and breaking the opposition’s press is a risk-reward tactic. It can often leave teams quite open and vulnerable for De Zerbi to attack.

However, that can also leave the 46-year-old’s side susceptible at the back as well, resulting in basketball-esque games.

According to Opta, De Zerbi’s Brighton side conceded more goals from opposition counter-attacks (15) than anyone else, while only Liverpool (57) faced more shots on the break than them (51).

That is where van de Ven comes in. The Dutchman’s pace could be a vital cog for the defensive setup in N17 and allow him to get back and cover those counter-attacks.

Additionally, with De Zerbi asking his defenders to pass along the backline, van de Ven emerging as the player with the most passes in his team’s half (878) will certainly please the new manager.

Furthermore, despite all of those passes, van de Ven has only made two errors this season, one leading to a goal and one leading to a shot.

In truth, the qualities that the Netherlands international possesses may end up making him the perfect defender for De Zerbi.

While van de Ven may thrive, Lucas Bergvall or Archie Gray have been tipped to falter at Tottenham.

Van de Ven staying fit is key for De Zerbi

The new Spurs manager may have some slight concerns surrounding van de Ven’s injury record, seeing as he missed 30 games in 2024-2025 and 14 games in 2023-2024.

This season, the 24-year-old has remained off the treatment bench with just one game missed due to a knock.

De Zerbi must keep it that way if he wants to have the best chance of succeeding at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Van de Ven could be crucial in implementing his philosophy, as there are not many players that have the pace and physicality of the Dutchman.