Roberto De Zerbi has defended Cristian Romero’s decision to miss Tottenham’s decisive final game against Everton on Sunday after the Spurs captain flew to Argentina to watch his boyhood club.
Romero, who has not played since injuring a knee against Sunderland last month but has a chance of playing at the World Cup, has been criticised for opting to attend Belgrano’s game against River Plate in a league playoff final. But De Zerbi said Romero’s trip had been sanctioned by Tottenham’s medical department and pointed out that the 28-year-old cannot affect the result at home to Everton regardless.
A win would guarantee Spurs will not be relegated for the first time since 1977 and a draw would almost certainly suffice given their goal difference is 12 better than that of third-bottom West Ham, who play at home to Leeds.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 37 | -3 | 43 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 37 | -10 | 38 |
| 18 | West Ham | 37 | -22 | 36 |
| 19 | Burnley | 37 | -37 | 21 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 37 | -41 | 19 |
“He spoke with the medical staff, together they decided to go to Argentina to complete the rehab with the Argentinian medical staff,” the head coach said. “We spoke last week and he always wanted to stay with us. The injury is already an injury, and we have to accept it.
“I’m not stupid, if I understand there is any player, or some player who thinks for himself before the club, I can’t be the same Roberto. But with Kuti Romero, I can’t say nothing, because with me, in my time, he has been correct, in the beginning, until now.”
Glenn Hoddle, the former Tottenham player and manager, said that Romero’s decision “sums his selfishness up”. But De Zerbi, asked whether he understood that criticism, said: “The decision was with the medical staff and I think he can change nothing if Romero tomorrow is in the stadium or not. And finally, I have no time to lose energy, to lose thinking about other things. We have to be focused just on the game, and I think we have the players good enough to achieve our target.
“Sometimes not all leaders are the same. Ben Davies spoke with me, and he asked to stay today to work with us, and tomorrow we sleep in the hotel, and he wants to stay with the team, the teammates. But Romero is preparing for the World Cup with his injury, and for me nothing changed. And then we are going to think, after tomorrow, we are going to think everything that is for the best future of Tottenham.”
Dominic Solanke is expected to be available after injuring a hamstring in the win over Wolves last month, and Djed Spence will wear a protective mask after sustaining a broken jaw against Chelsea. Only a West Ham win would mean Tottenham have to get something out of their game but De Zerbi is determined his team seize control of their fate by recording a Premier League victory at home for the first time since December.
“We have to play, and to play with blood, with character, with spirit, because it’s a final,” he said. “We have to adapt, we have to change our habits. I think it’s a great thing to have the chance to play as a player. I think as a player, for me, these types of games are good to play, to prepare, to suffer the pressure.”
Friday marks a year since Tottenham beat Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao to win their first trophy since 2008. But rather than using that as inspiration, De Zerbi insisted his players must deal with the reality of their predicament.
“No one could imagine this situation,” he said. “But we are inside and we have to fight, without excuses, without nothing, and to play.”