Tottenham appear set to go into their biggest game for almost 50 years with captain Cristian Romero on the other side of the world supporting his boyhood team in Argentina.
Romero is out of the season after damaging knee ligaments in a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland last month.
But the 28-year-old World Cup winner has been in the camp offering support to his team-mates and boss Roberto De Zerbi until this week when he returned to his native Argentina.
Romero did not attend the Spurs defeat at Chelsea on Tuesday which leaves them in need of a point from the game at home against Everton on Sunday to be sure of avoiding relegation for the first time since 1977.
He has posted on social media a picture of him on a private jet with his family and sent a message of congratulations to his boyhood club Belgrano after they reached the play-off final of the Argentina championship against River Plate on Sunday in Cordoba.
Romero was born in Cordoba and came through the youth ranks at Belgrano before leaving for Genoa in Italy in 2019.
Cristian Romero – pictured today – will not be watching relegation-threatened Tottenham’s clash with Everton – instead he is watching his boyhood club Belgrano
Romero will be in Argentina supporting his boyhood club Belgrano in their title play-off final
Belgrano president Luis Artime said after the semi-final victory against Argentinos Juniors on penalties on Sunday gave them a shot at a title they have not won in the club’s 121-year history that Romero would watch the final with the club’s official delegation.
Artime also said he had spoken to Romero and granted him to permission to use the club’s training facilities as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.
Romero, integral to the Argentina team which won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is desperate to prove his fitness to Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni in time to defend the crown next month in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Spurs declined to comment on his potential absence but De Zerbi, who holds his pre-Everton press conference today,(FRI) has always been hugely appreciative of Romero, who left the pitch in tears when he was injured in a freak collision with his own goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.
It was De Zerbi’s first game in charge and the head coach paid tribute to his absent captain on Monday before the Chelsea game. ‘Cristian Romero is a big player,’ said De Zerbi. ‘He is an amazing guy because he has been a great captain in my time even though he didn’t play. We talk on the phone and, when he is here, every morning he comes to my office.’
Romero was made Spurs captain last year by Thomas Frank after Son Heung-min left for the USA.
It was hoped the extra responsibility might ease his restlessness, but Romero is pining after a move to Spain as he was this time last year.
Then, he hoped Atletico Madrid would bid for him but that did not materialise. This year, he is reported to be on the wanted list of Barcelona, but he signed a new Spurs contract in August tying him to the club until 2029.
‘It’s a good question but it is the wrong timing,’ said De Zerbi when asked on Monday if he expected Romero to be part of the squad next season.
‘First of all the focus is Chelsea. Second point, Romero is a great player and the most important is the behaviour and how much the player wants to stay in this club. We are going to take all the decisions after this season and after the Everton game.’
Djed Spence meanwhile will play against Everton despite breaking his jaw at Chelsea. Spence, who came on as a substitute at Stamford Bridge took a hefty forearm in the face from Liam Delap in the closing stages. He will be fitted with a protective mask and is expected to be available on Sunday.
