Cristian Romero, the outspoken captain of Tottenham Hotspur, has once again stirred controversy with a candid social media post, this time criticising what he describes as the club's "disgraceful" lack of squad depth. The Argentina defender made his remarks shortly after the January transfer window closed, highlighting ongoing frustrations within the Spurs camp.
Romero's Blunt Assessment of Tottenham's Transfer Strategy
In a post on Instagram, Romero did not hold back in expressing his dismay at the situation. "Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were all incredible," he began, referring to Tottenham's recent 2-2 draw against Manchester City. "I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn't feeling well, especially as we had only 11 players available – unbelievable but true and disgraceful." This pointed comment appears to be a direct jab at the club's recruitment efforts during the mid-season transfer period.
Transfer Window Activity and Squad Challenges
During the January window, Tottenham made two signings: Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid for £34.6 million and Souza, a 19-year-old left-back prospect from Santos, for £13 million. However, they also sold Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for £35 million, leaving the squad stretched thin. Manager Thomas Frank has been grappling with an injury crisis, with up to 11 players unavailable for recent matches, including the clash with Manchester City.
Romero himself played through illness in that game but was forced off at half-time, with Spurs trailing 2-0 before mounting a comeback to secure a draw, thanks to two goals from Dominic Solanke. The post was liked by several teammates, including Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Kevin Danso, Gallagher, Pape Sarr, and Solanke, indicating shared concerns within the dressing room.
History of Controversial Social Media Activity
This is not the first time Romero has used social media to voice his frustrations. After a 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth earlier in January, he posted: "At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don't – as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies." Although he later deleted the reference to "lies," the post remained visible and was endorsed by teammates like Porro, who commented, "Amen. Keep going brother."
Manager's Response and Internal Discussions
Manager Thomas Frank has previously defended Romero, stating that the player was not fined for his outspoken posts but acknowledged that "when you're a young leader sometimes you make mistakes." Frank emphasised the importance of keeping such matters internal, noting, "We had a good conversation [about it] which we will keep internally." This suggests ongoing efforts to manage Romero's public expressions while addressing underlying squad issues.
In his latest post, Romero added a note of resilience: "We'll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that's left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us. The fans." This blend of criticism and commitment reflects the complex dynamics at play within the club.
Background of Romero's Turbulent Relationship with Spurs
Romero's tenure at Tottenham has been marked by several controversial moments. Last summer, he seemed poised for an exit, with interest from Atlético Madrid, following a season filled with contentious comments. These included reposting a message complaining about travel arrangements, criticising the club's spending compared to Premier League rivals, and thanking Argentina medics over Spurs physios for his recovery from injury.
He also expressed a desire to play in Spain's La Liga and appeared to bid farewell to former manager Ange Postecoglou shortly after Frank's appointment. Despite this, Romero ultimately signed a new contract and was named captain, succeeding Son Heung-min—a surprising turnaround that underscores his volatile yet influential role at the club.
As Tottenham navigate these challenges, Frank is likely to face further questions about Romero and the squad's depth in his upcoming press conference. The situation highlights broader issues in football management, where player activism on social media can clash with traditional club hierarchies, all while teams strive for success on the pitch.
