Tottenham Captain Cristian Romero Ruled Out for the Season

Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero is set to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained during the team's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. The defender was substituted out of the game in tears after a collision with Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky while attempting to defend the ball from Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey. Reports suggesting Romero will recover in time for the World Cup are not entirely accurate, but his club season is now over. Romero's absence is a significant setback for relegation-threatened Spurs, who are currently in the bottom three and two points from safety with only six league games remaining. New Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi had labeled Romero a 'crucial player' after the defeat at the Stadium of Light, and his injury is another monumental blow to the team's survival hopes. Kevin Danso is expected to replace Romero for the remainder of the season, having come on for him in the defeat at Sunderland. Romero is now facing a race to be fit in time for this summer's World Cup, where Argentina will defend their title in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The injury occurred when Brobbey, who was already on a yellow card, pushed Romero, leading to questions about whether the striker should have been sent off. Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes the incident was not a serious foul, while former Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd argued that Romero was trying to shield the ball and Brobbey's push was an attempt to get around him. Tottenham's performance in the defeat did little to strengthen the belief that they can climb out of the relegation zone, with many of their issues persisting despite the change in management. Sky Sports' Laura Hunter and Jamie Carragher have analyzed De Zerbi's first game in charge, with Carragher expressing his disbelief that Tottenham could be relegated.