This is what Lionel Messi may do to Cristian Romero as Tottenham changing room issues mooted
Brad Friedel has raised further concerns about Cristian Romero in Tottenham’s bid to stay in the Premier League.
Tottenham captain Romero was recently praised by former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou for having a bit of nastiness and grit about him, but ex-goalkeeper Friedel has taken a different view.
At a time when the centre-back has been linked with a Tottenham Hotspur Stadium exit, in addition to being suspended for four games, Friedel has branded the centre-back as “petulant”.
He also explained how younger players like to latch onto bigger names in the dressing room as part of their development, but sometimes, supposed role models can have a toxic impact.
Indeed, Friedel thinks that World Cup winner Romero may be a positive force in the dressing room, but only when he is around senior figures such as Argentine compatriots Lionel Messi and Emi Martinez.
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Brad Friedel concerned for Tottenham with Cristian Romero about
On Thursday, the former United States international and Tottenham keeper admitted that he would likely clash with Romero if they were teammates.
Friedel contrasted the Argentina international with his former Spurs teammates Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, both of whom, he said, led by example.
When asked if Romero was one of his “winners” by talkSPORT host Jim White, Friedel replied: “With Messi, with Emi Martinez, with other players that might put him in his place.
“No [he would not be my captain]. He’s the kind that I might have problems with in the changing room. Because the issue is you’ll have young players, and you always have players at clubs that aren’t leaders. Always have it.
“And the players that aren’t leaders, they look to attach to somebody. So if you take Luka Modric, he walked in, nicest human being, humble, quiet, did his work, fantastic player.
“Young players would go, ‘I want to be like him’.”
Indeed, Tottenham are missing their captain right now as they try to stave off relegation to the Championship, and it is fair to say that the Real Madrid target has not led by example.
Romero adds to Tottenham’s woes this season
Romero was sent off for a reckless red card in the defeat at Manchester United on 7 February, leading to a four-game ban.
He has already missed their defeats to Newcastle United and Tottenham this month, plus he will be unavailable for their fixtures with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Romero will return for the match away to Liverpool on 15 March, but by that time, Tottenham could be in the relegation zone, with 16th-placed Spurs just four points ahead of West Ham.
His suspension has not exactly come at an ideal time for Tottenham either. For instance, Spurs have been without playmakers Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison for the entire season due to injury.
Mohammed Kudus and midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur will be sidelined for the foreseeable future as well, not to mention defender Ben Davies.
Tottenham need their experienced players to stand up and be counted, but recently, Romero has only let them down.
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