Ange Postecoglou has another problem to solve at Tottenham after worrying Cristian Romero update shared by Fabrizio Romano
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been handed yet another devastating injury blow with Cristian Romero now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Just when it looked as if Postecoglou was getting his first-team squad back together and back on track, the Australian has been dealt yet another injury blow.
Spurs’ manager confirmed in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League trip to Brighton on Thursday 28 December that Romero will join Micky van de Ven, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur on the club’s treatment table.
In quotes shared by Fabrizio Romano via his official X platform (27 December), Postecoglou told the media, “Romero had a scan and he’s got a hamstring strain. We’re looking at four to five weeks with him.”
Romero has only just recently returned after his three-match suspension following his dismissal in the 4-1 home defeat against Chelsea on 6 November.
His return to the team demonstrated how crucial the Argentina international is. Tottenham conceded six goals in the three matches without Romero, failing to win once, with that number reducing to just four in the four matches since the Argentinian’s return, while they also kept their first clean sheet since 23 October with a 2-0 win away at Nottingham Forest (15 December).
On a personal level, the 25-year-old’s stats show that he has been one of the best-performing defenders in the Premier League so far this season.
As per fbref, he ranks in the best 97 per cent of his positional peers in England’s top flight this season for the number of tackles he has won per 90 minutes (1.69), and the best 94 per cent of players when his tackle and interception totals are combined (3.77 per 90).
In addition, his ability on the ball is crucial to the way Postecoglou wants his team to play, as he ranks in the top 16 per cent of centre-backs in the Premier League for the number of progressive carries he has made (1.23 per 90) and the top 11 per cent when it comes to his total number of carries into the final third (1.38 per 90).
Postecoglou will once again need to form a makeshift defence over the coming games, which are certainly not easy ones. Romero is set to miss the trip to Brighton, as well as a home match with high-flying Bournemouth, an FA Cup third-round clash with Burnley, a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United and a potential fourth-round FA Cup tie.
In other Tottenham news, one 86% ace deserves a chance to prove himself against Brighton after a recent injury update.