Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi has leapt to the defence of skipper Christian Romero, who has opted to miss his team’s crucial clash against Everton on Monday morning.
Tottenham are a slim chance of being relegated for the first time since 1977, currently sitting two points ahead of London rivals West Ham with one match to play in the season.
A win will guarantee Spurs remain, while a draw will also do the job — but Romero won’t be there to watch his team’s crucial clash, instead opting to travel to Argentina to watch his boyhood club.
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Romero will be in attendance Belgrano’s clash with River Plate in a league playoff final, and De Zerbi was certain his leave was approved by medical staff.
The 28-year-old has been sidelined for the last month after suffering an MCL injury, but has been met with a wave of criticism regarding his peculiar decision.
“He spoke with the medical staff, together they decided to go to Argentina to complete the rehab with the Argentinian medical staff,” the head coach said to The Guardian.
“We spoke last week and he always wanted to stay with us. The injury is already an injury, and we have to accept it.
“I’m not stupid, if I understand there is any player, or some 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, in my time, he has been correct, in the beginning, until now.”
In response to club legend Glen Hoddle’sa claim that Romero’s call “sums his selfishness up”, De Zerbi explained that his star man can’t influence the result of his side’s Everton clash.
“The decision was with the medical staff and I think he can change nothing if Romero is in the stadium or not.
“And finally, I have no time to lose energy, to lose thinking about other things. We have to be focused just on the game, and I think we have the players good enough to achieve our target.
“Sometimes not all leaders are the same. Ben Davies spoke with me, and he asked to stay today to work with us, and tomorrow we sleep in the hotel, and he wants to stay with the team, the teammates.
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“But Romero is preparing for the World Cup with his injury, and for me nothing changed. And then, after tomorrow, we are going to think everything that is for the best future of Tottenham.”
Only a Spurs loss and a West Ham win would mean Tottenham drop to the English Championship.