Tottenham Hotspur's captain, Cristian Romero, will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained during the team's 1-0 loss to Sunderland. The Argentine defender was substituted out of the game in tears after colliding with Spurs' goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky, while attempting to defend against Sunderland's striker, Brian Brobbey.
Romero's injury is a significant blow to the relegation-threatened team, which is currently in the bottom three and two points from safety with only six league games left to play. Despite reports suggesting that Romero may recover in time for the World Cup, his season at the club level is over.
Tottenham's new manager, Roberto De Zerbi, had previously expressed his reliance on Romero, labeling him a 'crucial player' for the team. With Romero out, Kevin Danso is expected to take his place for the remainder of the season. 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. Former Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher, weighed in on the incident, stating that while the outcome was unfortunate, it did not constitute a serious foul.
Ex-Cardiff striker, Jay Bothroyd, also shared his perspective, suggesting that Romero was attempting to shield the ball and that Brobbey's push was an attempt to gain visibility. Tottenham's struggles continue, with the team facing significant challenges in its bid to avoid relegation. The appointment of De Zerbi as manager has been seen as a high-stakes gamble, and the team's performance under his leadership has done little to inspire confidence. Sky Sports pundits, including Jamie Carragher, have expressed their doubts about Tottenham's ability to avoid relegation, citing the team's poor form and challenging upcoming fixtures.