A serious knee injury has ended Tottenham captain Cristian Romero's season, dealing a significant blow to the relegation-threatened club. Romero was forced off the field in tears during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Sunderland after colliding with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky while defending against striker Brian Brobbey. The Argentine defender's season is over, despite reports suggesting he may recover in time for the World Cup. Romero's absence is another major setback for new manager Roberto De Zerbi, who had previously labeled the defender a 'crucial player.' With only six league games remaining, Tottenham faces an uphill battle to avoid relegation, sitting two points from safety in the bottom three.
Kevin Danso is expected to replace Romero for the remainder of the season. The injury occurred when Brobbey pushed Romero, leading to questions about whether the striker should have been ejected from the game.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher argued that the foul was not severe enough to warrant a red card, while ex-Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd noted that Romero was trying to shield the ball, and Brobbey's push was an attempt to gain visibility. Tottenham's struggles persist under De Zerbi, with the club's performance against Sunderland doing little to inspire confidence in their ability to climb out of the relegation zone. With a difficult schedule ahead, including matches against Brighton, Wolves, and Chelsea, Tottenham's chances of survival look increasingly slim.