Has Cristian Romero played his last match in Tottenham's colors? That question is becoming increasingly realistic, as Spurs face a series of instabilities and their future depends on which league they will play in next season.
The prospect of Tottenham being relegated from the Premier League seems unbelievable but is gradually becoming apparent. The 2-2 draw with Brighton, after conceding a goal in the 90+5 minute, is a strong blow that makes them 2 points behind the safe group when the season has 5 rounds left.
Coach Roberto De Zerbi, who just took over the team, still showed determination when affirming that Spurs cannot only stay in the league but must also win all 5 remaining matches to decide their own fate.
However, the biggest challenge is the absence of the captain. Romero suffered a serious knee injury in the defeat to Sunderland on April 12 and will be out for the rest of the season. The Argentine center-back left the field in tears, not only because of Tottenham but also because of the risk of missing the upcoming World Cup.
Romero's absence is not unfamiliar to Spurs fans, as he is often suspended. However, this time may be the end of his journey at the club.
Under De Zerbi, Tottenham is trying to rebuild the team spirit. The Italian captain proactively changed his approach, creating cohesion between players. Names like James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur or Yves Bissouma all show positive spirit, even when not playing fully.
Meanwhile, Romero appeared separately in the VIP stands in the match against Brighton, instead of joining the team. This image partly reflects the internal rift.
Romero was given the captain's armband after Son Heung-min left, but this decision is not entirely based on leadership ability. Spurs internally admit that the squad lacks true leaders, forcing them to look for new factors such as Conor Gallagher or having pursued Andy Robertson.
The 27-year-old center-back has also publicly criticized the club many times. He once said that many people at Spurs "only appear when things go smoothly", and called the personnel shortage "shameful".
However, Romero's playing style makes him a double-edged sword. Since joining in 2021, he has received the most red cards in the Premier League in the same period and is often absent due to suspension or injury. In total, Romero has missed 95/251 matches of Spurs.
However, his professional contribution cannot be denied. Romero has scored important goals and was a prominent factor in the Europa League championship last season. His absence was also clearly revealed when his replacement made a mistake, causing Tottenham to drop the victory against Brighton.
This injury is not entirely Romero's fault, as he collided strongly after a dispute. But it could become a turning point for this player's future.
Romero still has a contract until 2029, but rumors about a 50-70 million USD release clause are still controversial. Tottenham denies the existence of this clause, affirming that they have the decision-making power.
Whether to sell Romero or not will depend on De Zerbi's point of view and the club's situation. If Spurs are relegated, they will be forced to restructure strongly to balance finances and find a way back to the Premier League.
Atletico Madrid and many clubs in England and Italy are said to be closely monitoring the situation of this center-back. A breakup deal could be a suitable solution for all parties.
In the current context, the possibility of Romero continuing to wear the Tottenham shirt is very slim - just like the future of this team itself.
