Tottenham Hotspur’s defence has been dealt a significant blow after Cristian Romero was released from the Argentine national team following an injury setback.
With a key Premier League clash against Manchester City looming, Spurs now face uncertainty over the fitness of their star centre-back.
Romero’s injury struggles and Spurs’ defensive concerns
Romero has been a fixture in Spurs’ defence this season, starting all eleven Premier League matches and solidifying his place as one of the team’s most reliable players.
A foot injury picked up in Tottenham’s 4-1 victory against Aston Villa had already raised concerns, though the 26-year-old managed to power through and feature in Spurs’ recent 2-1 defeat over Ipswich Town.
Despite the ongoing issue, he was able to complete the match, but things have taken a turn for the worse during his time with Argentina.
In a World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay, Romero suffered further discomfort and was forced off at half-time. As if the timing couldn’t have been worse, this injury comes at a critical point in Tottenham’s season.
With matches against Manchester City, and other top-tier clubs on the horizon, Romero’s absence could leave a significant gap in the centre of defence.
MORE SPURS STORIES
Romero’s release and return to London
After his premature departure from Argentina’s squad, news broke that Romero would not be available to play against Peru. Gastón Edul relayed the update in a post on X, stating: “Cuti Romero was released from the Argentine National Team. He doesn’t play against Peru. He is returning to Europe.”
This confirmation sealed what had already been a growing concern for Tottenham fans — that their key defender would be sidelined for the immediate future.
The situation has put Postecoglou in a difficult position, particularly with fellow centre-back Micky van de Ven also unavailable due to injury.
While the defensive partnership of Romero and van de Ven had provided stability to Tottenham’s backline, the manager now faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement.
Who will step up to fill the void left by Romero?
With Romero now a doubt for the upcoming Manchester City match, questions linger about who will step up in his absence.
Tottenham’s options are certainly limited, and the lack of consistency in defence has already been a concern this season.
Spurs’ options in defence are limited, which means we are likely going to see Ben Davies deployed alongside Radu Dragusin if Romero and van de Ven aren’t fit before the trip to the Etihad.
Tottenham’s reliance on Romero has been clear, and with so many vital games ahead, the club will be hoping for a speedy recovery.
In the meantime, Spurs must address the gap in the defence, and Postecoglou will need to make tactical adjustments in what promises to be a pivotal period of the season.