World Soccer Talk

In an otherwise disappointing campaign, Cristian Romero has been one of the few bright spots for Tottenham Hotspur during the 2024-25 season. The Argentine center back has consistently anchored the defense when available, and the team has notably struggled in his absence due to injury. Now, amid growing interest from Atletico Madrid, Romero has addressed his future—hinting at a possible move to Spain.

In his second year under manager Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have underwhelmed in the Premier League, currently sitting 16th in the table. However, a strong run in the Europa League has provided some consolation. Speaking in an interview with Argentine journalists Esteban and Gaston Edul, Romero opened up about what lies ahead:

“I try to take things day by day. There are two months left in the season and we want to finish in the best possible way. We’re in the Europa League semifinals, which is an important step for the club after so many years without reaching this stage. I’d love to win it.”

The 2022 World Cup winner also left the door open to a potential exit. “I haven’t spoken with my agent yet, but I’m open to anything,” Romero stated. “In my mind, it’s always about growing and looking for new places to keep improving, but there are still a few months left before we talk about that,” he added.

When asked if he had a preferred destination, Romero was clear: “I’ve yet to play in La Liga. I’d love to be there because it’s the one top league I haven’t played in yet.” Having already featured in Serie A and the Premier League, Spain remains the only major European league missing from his résumé.

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Now 26, Romero is under contract with Tottenham until June 2027 and has emerged as a leader in the squad, even wearing the captain’s armband over star forward Heung-Min Son on occasion. However, his recent comments, combined with Spurs’ struggles, have cast doubt over his long-term future in North London.

Atletico Madrid targeting Romero

Atletico Madrid’s long-standing Argentine connection—driven by head coach Diego Simeone—makes it a natural landing spot for Romero. The club currently features five Argentine players: Rodrigo De Paul, Nahuel Molina, Julian Alvarez, Juan Musso, and Gianluca Simeone. Adding Romero would bolster an already strong core.

According to The Mirror, Atletico have already opened talks to bring Romero to Spain. The Spanish giants are reportedly preparing an offer in the region of €51 million, a reasonable fee for a player who will enter the final two years of his contract this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur has endured several underwhelming seasons, failing to compete with rivals like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsena. Despite an initial promising start under Ange Postecoglou, marked by an energetic playing style, the team’s performance has significantly declined.

This mirrors past managerial appointments, with previous managers like Antonio Conte and José Mourinho experiencing similar patterns of initial success followed by a downturn in form and eventual dismissal. This raises concerns about the team’s overall consistency and long-term planning. The club’s management is currently facing important decisions about the future direction of the club.

With Postecoglou’s position reportedly under review ahead of the end of the 24/25 season], speculation is mounting regarding potential replacements. One surprising candidate is Mauricio Pochettino, currently the USMNT head coach.

This speculation has been fueled by fan requests on social media and comments from journalist John Wenham of Lilywhite Rose, who stated in an interview with Tottenham Hotspur News : “Some people might think Pochettino wouldn’t leave the U.S. before a World Cup. However, this is a guy who seems to spend his free time hanging around the cafes in North London, just for fun. Therefore, I think he would return.”

Pochettino’s previous comments on a Tottenham return

Pochettino has previously expressed interest in returning to Tottenham, stating in a Sky Sports interview: “When I left the club, I always remember an interview where I said that I would like to return to Tottenham one day. I’m in the United States, so I’m not going to talk about that now, but what I said then, even after six or five years, I feel it in my heart. Yes, I would like to return one day.”

Despite the team’s past struggles, his relationship with chairman Daniel Levy remains amicable. The manager has noted his positive memories of his previous time at the club.

The possibility of Pochettino’s return to Tottenham adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing speculation surrounding the club’s future. While Pochettino’s commitment to the USMNT is undeniable, the allure of a return to the Premier League and the familiarity of Tottenham could prove tempting.

The situation remains fluid, with many uncertain about what the club will do. Tottenham Hotspur’s management needs to make careful and well-considered decisions about their next move, balancing the need for immediate success with their long-term goals.

Mohamed Salah made history in Liverpool‘s thrilling 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, helping the Reds maintain their position atop the Premier League table. Salah’s standout performance included two goals and two assists, securing a Premier League milestone never achieved before Christmas.

Liverpool dominated the first half, with Salah assisting Dominik Szoboszlai for the third goal. In the second half, the Egyptian delivered a masterclass, scoring twice within 16 minutes and setting up Luis Diaz to seal the scoreline.

With 15 goals and 11 assists in just 16 league matches, Salah became the first Premier League player ever to record double figures in both categories before Christmas. His 26 goal contributions also set a new record, surpassing Alan Shearer’s 25 in 1994, Luis Suárez’s 24 in 2013, and Salah’s own 24 from 2021.

Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak to 21 matches and remain league leaders despite recent draws against Newcastle United and Fulham. On Boxing Day, they face Leicester City, offering another opportunity to solidify their dominance under coach Arne Slot.

Salah’s historic milestones with Liverpool

Against Spurs, Salah scored his 228th and 229th goals for Liverpool, surpassing club legend Billy Liddell as 4th top goal scorer, who tallied 228 goals across 534 appearances between 1946 and 1960. Salah reached the feat in just 373 matches, and he’s just 12 goals away from 3rd position Gordon Hogson, who scored 241 goals.

When asked about his accomplishments, Salah remained humble: “I didn’t think about it before the game, but I’m glad I’ve done it. Achieving something like this at a club like Liverpool is special, but the most important thing is that we won the game,” he told Sky Sports.