Tottenham captain ‘not having the best time’ as Argentina defender returns to ‘bad situation’ with Roberto De Zerbi’s Premier League strugglers

Cristian Romero is making ready to return to a “dangerous scenario” when the membership captain rejoins Tottenham’s squad for the ultimate seven video games of their bid to beat Premier League relegation.

Talking hours after Roberto De Zerbi turned Spurs’ third coach of a troubled season, Romero acknowledged a troublesome marketing campaign that included a four-match ban in February.

“The reality is, I’m not having one of the best time there,” stated Romero, talking through Ole translation after Argentina’s 5-0 win over Zambia on Tuesday.

“That’s all. I’ve to get myself collectively, I’ve to consider the membership now and get into the Tottenham mindset… making an attempt to get out of this dangerous scenario we’re in.

“As at all times, I’ll give my all in each coaching session, each match and each effort to maneuver ahead.”

“Daft! Foolish factor to do!””If he did not become involved in stuff like that, he’d be among the finest on the market!”

No sympathy for Cristian Romero from Carra! 😬 pic.twitter.com/rjAvRWNkR2

— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2025

Evaluation: Cristian Romero’s season to overlook at Spurs

Romero was ever-present in Tottenham’s promising begin to the season in the beginning of Thomas Frank’s eight-month spell as supervisor, together with wins and clear sheets in three of their first 4 league matches.

That was a part of a run of 5 wins and one defeat of their first 10 video games on this season’s prime flight and Champions League, led by their new skipper who had prolonged his contract till 2029 in August.

Romero’s first harm absence coincided with a defeat to Aston Villa to start out a sequence of 1 level from 4 house league matches.

Amid a dire run of kind and growing strain from followers in January, Frank known as Romero a “younger chief” however stated he had dealt internally with a social media publish wherein the participant appeared to reference figures on the membership by mentioning “different individuals” who “solely present up when issues are going properly, to inform just a few lies”.

“What’s he doing?!”

Cristian Romero is shipped off in stoppage time! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/Lketwxa46b

— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 20, 2025

The earlier month, Romero earned bookings for dissent and kicking out at opposition defender Ibrahima Konate after being fouled throughout a 2-1 house defeat by Liverpool.

He subsequently admitted an FA cost of “performing improperly by failing to go away the sphere of play promptly”, receiving an extra one-match suspension and £50,000 high quality.

Romero didn’t style victory in seven video games after getting back from that suspension, the final of which ended within the twenty ninth minute with a pink card for a problem on Casemiro throughout a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United.

📹 The most recent Ref Cam has arrived!

Right here is the on-pitch view of Man Utd vs Spurs, together with Cristian Romero’s pink card for his problem on Casemiro 🟥 pic.twitter.com/dhSJfZIMmp

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) February 11, 2026

“I’m baffled,” former Tottenham captain Michael Dawson informed Sky Sports activities concerning the dismissal at Outdated Trafford.

“As a captain, you’re supposed to steer by instance. You permit your group susceptible… shedding your captain and one in every of your greatest gamers. He’s let his group down once more.”

The punishment dominated Romero out of Frank’s ultimate recreation in cost – a house defeat to Newcastle – earlier than the Dane was sacked on February 11.

Romero’s ban continued for 3 of Tottenham’s 5 league matches below doomed interim head coach Igor Tudor, in addition to sitting out their draw at Liverpool in March by concussion.

Romero has now been despatched off six instances throughout all competitions since making his debut for Spurs, essentially the most of any Premier League participant inside that interval.

Thomas Frank couldn’t fairly consider it…😳 pic.twitter.com/a06hWsqqHP

— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 7, 2026

Underneath Tudor, who was sacked after seven video games in cost, Romero performed in each legs of Tottenham’s Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid and their 3-0 house defeat to Nottingham Forest within the Croatian’s ultimate match of his tenure.

Forest had been the one group separating Tottenham from third-bottom West Ham and Romero’s aspect will drop into the relegation zone if the Hammers win at house to backside membership Wolves on April 10.

Romero had known as for unity when followers voiced their disapproval of Frank however he didn’t seem to supply a public response after the previous Brentford supervisor’s departure.

When predecessor Ange Postecologu was sacked final June, Romero thanked the Australian for his two “unimaginable seasons” on the helm, calling him a “improbable coach” and “an excellent one that deserves one of the best”.

“It is painful, it is a unhappy day”

Cristian Romero made a swift exit from his interview following Tottenham Hotspur’s 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. pic.twitter.com/bcGsYnddaa

— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 22, 2026

Will Cristian Romero keep at Tottenham?

Though Romero obtained criticism for his function within the thrashing by Forest, new coach De Zerbi is prone to regard his skills on the ball as essential if the Italian implements his acquainted type of enjoying out from the again whereas ready for triggers from opposition groups to modify possession.

Barring any extra recklessness or accidents, De Zerbi will foresee Romero being accessible as a result of he averted a reserving in opposition to Forest, with Premier League suspension deadlines that means that he now can’t be banned even when he’s booked for the tenth time this season when Tottenham go to Eleventh-placed Sunderland on April 12.

Ought to Tottenham keep away from a relegation that may have appeared unthinkable in the beginning of 2025/26, Romero is poised to be a key a part of former Marseille and Brighton & Hove Albion coach De Zerbi’s makes an attempt to revive their fortunes.

Experiences in Spain had instructed that Romero had a clause in his contract or a extra casual settlement with former Spurs chairman Daniel Levy permitting Atletico, Actual Madrid or Barcelona to purchase him for round £52 million, however Tottenham reporter Alasdair Gold has stated no such deal exists.

“If anybody needs him in the summertime and Spurs need to promote, will probably be for the worth they need for somebody who’s below contract until 2029,” stated Gold.

Did Romero play in Argentina’s friendlies for 2026 World Cup?

Romero performed all through Argentina’s wins over Mauritania on Friday and Zambia on Tuesday, which have been their ultimate house video games earlier than the 2026 World Cup within the US, Canada and Mexico.

Supervisor Lionel Scaloni made Romero captain for the primary of these matches, each of which befell at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.

Argentina have gained successive Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup with Romero, who can have made a spherical flight of round 27 hours to play of their newest matches.

What’s subsequent for Romero? Will Spurs keep up?

Spurs stay the one Premier League aspect but to win within the prime flight in 2026 and the worldwide break means Romero has round 10 days wherein to recuperate and prepare earlier than their journey to the Stadium of Mild.

After the defeat to Forest, they have been fourth-favourites to go down with bookmakers behind Wolves, Burnley and West Ham.

On the time, stats consultants Opta gave Tottenham a 27.1% likelihood of relegation and predicted they’d keep up at West Ham’s expense, ending a degree or two above the Hammers.

Listed here are Romero and Tottenham’s subsequent 5 fixtures.