Tottenham Hotspur's captain, Cristian Romero, will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained during Sunday's 1-0 loss at Sunderland. The defender was substituted out in tears after colliding with Spurs' goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky, while attempting to defend the ball from Sunderland's Brian Brobbey. Reports suggesting Romero's return in time for the World Cup are deemed inaccurate, but his club season has come to an end.
Romero's absence is a significant blow for relegation-threatened Tottenham, who are currently in the bottom three and two points from safety with six league games remaining. New manager Roberto De Zerbi had previously expressed reliance on Romero, labeling him a 'crucial player' after the loss at the Stadium of Light.
Now, De Zerbi must find an alternative, with Kevin Danso in line to replace Romero. Romero faces a challenge to be fit in time for Argentina's World Cup title defense, with their opening game scheduled for June 17. The injury occurred as a result of a push by Brobbey, sparking debate over whether the striker should have been sent off.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher stated that the incident did not warrant a second yellow card, while ex-Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd argued that Brobbey's push was a result of Romero shielding the ball. Tottenham's struggles persist under De Zerbi, with the team's performance in defeat at Sunderland doing little to alleviate concerns about their ability to climb out of the relegation zone. Sky Sports pundits, including Jamie Carragher, have expressed doubts about Tottenham's chances of survival, citing their upcoming fixtures as a significant challenge.