Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Fri 3 April 2026 9:10, UK

Tottenham Hotspur cannot rely too heavily on Radu Dragusin as the Premier League relegation battle nears its conclusion.

Roberto De Zerbi has just been sworn in as Tottenham’s new head coach as they try to stave off relegation to the Championship.

The Italian has just seven games to keep Spurs in the Premier League, with the north London team just one point and one place above the relegation zone.

The former Brighton and Marseille boss’ first game in charge is a tricky match away to Sunderland on 12 April, which gives the 46-year-old extra time to implement his style of play into his players.

But one Tottenham player who is not at the same level as some of his defensive counterparts is Romania international Dragusin.

Radu Dragusin’s inferior Tottenham stats

Dragusin missed the first few months of the season as he recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with fitness issues common for the defender.

Since his return in late December, the 24-year-old hasn’t looked all that convincing. However, very few of his teammates have delivered, either.

According to Sofascore, Dragusin has yet to keep a clean sheet for Tottenham this season in the league, and his total duels won percentage is a lowly 49.

He is at 35 per cent for ground duels won, he has made two errors leading to a goal, but the Romanian does average 5.3 clearances per game.

This, and more, highlights why Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are preferred to Dragusin at the back.

Moreover, he is the least successful of the quartet when it comes to ground duels won; he’s lost possession more times than they have, and his average of tackles won per 90 minutes (0.6) is below Danso (1.1), Romero (2.5), and Van de Ven (1.1).

In a rare start against Fulham last month, this Sofascore graphic shows he struggled against the Cottagers in a 2-1 loss, losing possession a wild 13 times.

The only area he shades them is with blocked shots and interceptions per 90 (1.9). His agent keeps talking up a big, eye-catching move, but for the time being, he is the fourth choice at Tottenham and needs to focus on that.

Can Cristian Romero keep his calm for Tottenham?

Tottenham captain Romero is undoubtedly a quality player, but his combustible nature could cost Spurs their place in the Premier League.

The Argentina international, who recently represented his country, has been sent off twice this season and received eight yellow cards.

But if he can keep a lid on his emotions, Romero is Tottenham’s best centre-back when it comes to ground duels won (61.6%) and has the highest Sofascore rating of 7.11 among Danso, Van de Ven, and Dragusin.

He and Van de Ven have four goals apiece, while Romero has also created four big chances.

He tops the charts for tackles per match (2.5), and if the Argentine is on the pitch, they tend to do better with him than without him.

Romero is likely to leave Tottenham this summer, whichever division they are in. But if he can keep it together for the next two months, he may maintain their top-flight status.