Welcome to Tottenham Hotspur, Roberto De Zerbi. It’s a fun time, right? Right…? Think again.
While there have been signs of fight under the Italian, leading against Brighton and very nearly winning last Sunday, it couldn’t really have been a worse start since becoming Spurs boss.
Within days of arriving he was dealt the blow that Mohammed Kudus would miss the rest of the season. In his first game in charge, he was forced to substitute his captain, Cristian Romero.
The Argentine is another who has been ruled out for the season, leaving the club without yet another key player. Their luck with injuries this season has been absolutely shocking.
What the future holds for Cristian Romero at Tottenham
Say what you like about Romero’s ill-discipline, his social media statements and his demeanour on the pitch. This is a fighter, a warrior, a South American battler who is precisely the type of character you want in your side when the going gets tough.
For Spurs, this is not just another injury blow. To lose their captain in the circumstances they did is a bitter pill to swallow.
Against Sunderland, striker Brian Brobbey pushed the Argentine straight into Antonin Kinsky, only for the defender to stay on the turf.
It was later confirmed that Romero has suffered a high-grade partial tear of his medial cruciate ligament. He left the field in tears, understandably so with his World Cup hopes now in doubt too.
Speaking last weekend, De Zerbi was full of sympathy, saying: “First of all, Romero loves Tottenham, people have to know he’s suffering for this injury, suffering because he can’t play for us again this season. He’s a great captain for us.”
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Current Spurs injury list |
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|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Return date |
|
Wilson Odobert |
Knee |
November ’26 |
|
Mohammed Kudus |
Thigh |
June ’26 |
|
Dejan Kulusevski |
Knee |
Unknown |
|
Cristian Romero |
Knee |
June ’26 |
|
Guglielmo Vicario |
Groin/hip/pelvic |
May ’26 |
|
Ben Davies |
Ankle |
May ’26 |
Regardless of whether the central defender loves Spurs, it’s highly likely he has played his last game for the club, particularly if they do suffer relegation to the Championship.
Should they stay up then obviously their chances of keeping the skipper soar. Yet, this is a player who has attracted plenty of interest in the past. He’s not just caught the eye of Real Madrid in the past but recent rumours suggest that Manchester United have considered launching their own bid to keep him in English football.
For Spurs supporters, that would surely be the worst eventuality.
If Romero does depart, then finding another captain will be key.
How Spurs could replace Cristian Romero’s leadership
In all honesty, the Lilywhites are hardly blessed with leadership options. Once James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski return, providing they do, they will be looked at to inspire proceedings on the pitch.
Conor Gallagher may well have been a candidate had his time at the club started well. Archie Gray could be a captain in the future as well.
The most obvious replacement would be fellow centre-back Micky van de Ven but what if Spurs actually dipped their toes into the transfer market to replace Romero?
Well, it may not be a like-for-like replacement but the addition of Andrew Robertson from Liverpool would certainly help fill the leadership void left behind if the Argentine leaves north London.
Spurs looked at signing the Scottish full-back over the winter but he ultimately stayed to see out his contract at Anfield. He has confirmed that he will be departing on a free transfer in the summer and, providing Tottenham stay up, they are in pole position to sign him.
Fabrizio Romano revealed at the weekend: “(Robertson) is set to join Tottenham if they stay up in the Premier League. According to my information, there is already in this case an agreement on everything between Robertson and Tottenham.”
It’s exciting times as far as transfer are concerned, but at the age of 32, just what could the Scot offer Spurs?
Well, a winner of the Premier League and the Champions League, he’d bring an elite mentality with him, a know-how that very few in De Zerbi’s squad possess.
Sure, his powers may well be waning as he approaches the back end of his career but he’s one of the most reliable players in the top-flight of English football and has been for a very long time. Jose Mourinho, the Jose Mourinho, has celebrated him as an “incredible” player.
Only one defender in Premier League history has more assists (60) than Robertson. He’s pipped to the post by former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold (64).
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Most assists by defenders – Premier League history |
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|---|---|
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Player |
Assist count |
|
1) Trent Alexander-Arnold |
64 |
|
2) Andrew Robertson |
60 |
|
3) Leighton Baines |
53 |
|
4) Antonio Valencia |
46 |
|
5) Graeme Le Saux |
44 |
|
6) Kieran Trippier |
39 |
Boasting an incredible left-foot, it is undoubtedly his leadership qualities that make him such a standout signing should they get it done.
The veteran left-back is the captain of Scotland and has been since 2018. He has worn the armband over 49 times for his country, rubberstamping what an influential character he is.
Sure, Spurs will need an out-and-out centre-back to replace Romero but they will also need someone capable of taking on the captaincy. Robertson could well be just the man in that regard.
£35m star who’s like a “Poch-era Dele Alli” could fire Spurs to safety
Tottenham are still stuck in the relegation zone after dropping points late on against Brighton.