Tottenham Hotspur's captain, Cristian Romero, will not play again this season due to a knee injury. The Argentine defender was forced off the field in tears during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Sunderland after colliding with Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky while trying to defend against Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.
While there are reports suggesting Romero might recover in time for the World Cup, his club season is now over. Romero's absence is a significant blow to Tottenham, who are struggling to avoid relegation and are currently in the bottom three of the Premier League, two points from safety with only six games left to play. This injury is the latest setback for new Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi, who had been counting on Romero to help the team achieve their goals. De Zerbi had previously expressed his reliance on midfielder Mohammed Kudus, but the player suffered a fresh quad injury.
Now, the manager will have to find alternative solutions without Romero, whom he considers a 'crucial player.' Kevin Danso is likely to replace Romero for the remainder of the season, having come on as a substitute in the Sunderland game. Romero faces a challenge to regain fitness in time for Argentina's World Cup campaign, which begins on June 17. The injury occurred when Brobbey pushed Romero, leading to a collision with the goalkeeper.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes that while the push was not a serious foul, it changed the dynamics of the situation. Former Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd thinks that Brobbey's actions were a result of trying to get around Romero, who was shielding the ball.
Tottenham's performance under De Zerbi has raised concerns about their ability to avoid relegation. Despite the change in management, the team's problems persist, and their chances of escaping the bottom three look slim. Sky Sports pundits, including Jamie Carragher, have expressed their doubts about Tottenham's ability to stay in the Premier League, citing their poor performance and tough upcoming fixtures.