Romero Misses Final-Day Everton Trip as De Zerbi Defends Tottenham Games Absence
Cristian Romero will miss tottenham games against Everton on Sunday after flying back to Argentina while still injured. Roberto De Zerbi defended the captain’s choice and said the trip was made with the medical staff, with Tottenham needing a point for safety on the final day.
Romero and De Zerbi
Romero has not played since injuring a knee against Sunderland last month, and De Zerbi said: "He spoke with the medical staff, together they decided to go to Argentina to complete the rehab with the Argentinian medical staff". He added: "We spoke last week and he always wanted to stay with us. The injury is already an injury, and we have to accept it."
The 28-year-old flew to Argentina to watch his boyhood club Belgrano in a league playoff final against River Plate. Glenn Hoddle hit back at the move and said it "sums his selfishness up". De Zerbi rejected that line and said: "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 Cuti Romero, I can’t say nothing, because with me, in my time, he has been correct, in the beginning, until now."
Tottenham and Everton
Tottenham go into Sunday needing a point for safety, and a win would guarantee they will not be relegated for the first time since 1977. A draw would almost certainly be enough because their goal difference is 12 better than West Ham’s, while West Ham are third-bottom and play at home to Leeds.
De Zerbi said the decision was handled by the medical staff and that Romero could not alter anything by being in the stadium or not. He also pointed to Ben Davies, who spoke with him and asked to stay and work with the team, as a contrast inside the squad.
Solanke, Spence and Bilbao
There are still fitness issues around the squad. De Zerbi said Dominic Solanke is expected to be available after injuring a hamstring in April against Wolves, while Djed Spence will wear a protective mask after sustaining a broken jaw against Chelsea.
De Zerbi framed Sunday as the kind of match that demands a hard edge: "We have to play, and to play with blood, with character, with spirit, because it’s a final," he said. Friday also marks a year since Tottenham beat Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao, a win that gave the club its first trophy since 2008.
