Cristian Romero named Tottenham captain: Top five Spurs stars to wear the armband
Cristian Romero will have a tough act to follow after being named Tottenham captain.
There was confusion among fans on who would succeed Son Heung-min if he departed North London.
Romero was the obvious choice, but a possible exit to Atletico Madrid caused question marks around this pick. However, Tottenham have since announced that the Argentine will lead the Lilywhites next season.
Despite his short tenure, Son has had much success as captain. Lifting the UEFA Europa League stands out.
However, who else will Romero need to live up to? Here, Tottenham News ranks the top five players to wear the armband in North London.
5. Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris is one of the most recognisable captains of the modern era at Tottenham.
The Frenchman was named skipper in 2015 and captained the club until 2023, when Son was officially named as his successor. While he failed to win silverware during his tenure, Lloris still managed to achieve several impressive feats as a “true Spurs legend”.
- In the 2016/17 season, Tottenham achieved their best-ever defensive record, conceding just 26 goals in the Premier League that season
- Lloris’ most historic achievement came in 2019 when he led Spurs to their first-ever UEFA Champions League final
- Despite losing 2-0 to Liverpool on the night, the game forever remains etched in Tottenham history
The keeper now plays for LAFC, where he has reunited with Son, whose departure marked the end of an era in North London.
4. Ledley King
Ledley King is known as one of the most formidable and iconic former captains at Tottenham.
The defender was named captain in 2005 and was once coined as an “absolute freak” by manager Harry Redknapp for performing in the Premier League despite suffering from chronic knee issues later in his career.
- King debuted for Tottenham in May 1999 in a 3-2 defeat to Liverpool
- The defender’s most impressive feat came when he captained Spurs to a 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Chelsea
- 19 July 2012: King announces his retirement from football as one of the best defenders the top-flight has seen
King, forever known as a one-club man, will remain a legend among Tottenham fans for the ages.
3. Gary Mabbutt
Gary Mabbutt sits second on the all-time appearance list for Tottenham with 611 in all competitions.
Mabbutt became Spurs’ captain in 1987 and held the captaincy for 11 years until his retirement in 1998.
- The defender won the 1984 UEFA Cup with the Lilywhites before forming one of the club’s most remarkable defensive partnerships with Richard Gough during the 1986-87 season
- Mabbutt led Tottenham to FA Cup glory in 1991, following a 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest
The central defender battled against the effects of diabetes and serious injuries throughout his career. His resiliance, leadership and success put him down in the history books as one of the greatest to captain Tottenham.
2. Danny Blanchflower
Danny Blanchflower was one of the most successful captains in Tottenham’s entire history.
The Northern Ireland international was named captain on March 19 1955, taking over the captaincy from Alf Ramsey. He went on to wear the armband for 13 months before Harry Clarke took over. However, Blanchflower later resumed the position until November 1963.
- Blanchflower led Spurs to the 1960/61 double, winning both the First Division and FA Cup. The Lilywhites were the first team to achieve this feat during the 20th century.
- He then went on to win another FA Cup with Tottenham in 1962 and led the side to Britain’s first European honour in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.
The Tottenham legend retired in June 1964 after sustaining a knee injury he struggled to come back from.
1. Steve Perryman
Steve Perryman tops the list, and with 854 appearances for Tottenham, he has the most in the club’s history.
Perryman was named captain in 1975 after the 1974/75 season but was well-established in North London, having debuted in 1969.
- During his captancy, he led Spurs back into the First Division after dropping down in the 1978/79 season
- He then captained Tottenham during back-to-back FA Cup wins in 1981 and 1982
- The 1984 UEFA Cup final win against Anderlecht was the cherry on top for Spurs’ most respected and successful captain
The versatile player has cemented himself as one of the most respected figures in the history of the club. As such, his legacy will be an almost impossible act to follow.
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