Credit: Imago/talkSPORT

Scott Mason

Fri 22 May 2026 8:10, UK

Stuart Pearce has criticised Cristian Romero for jetting out of London to go to Argentina instead of staying to support his Tottenham Hotspur teammates in the relegation battle.

The Argentine defender is currently out injured and would not be able to affect the game against Everton on the pitch.

However, as club captain, the 28-year-old would still hold quite a voice in the dressing room and have plenty of influence as well.

Tottenham need to simply get a result to confirm their status in the top flight due to the large goal difference disparity with the Hammers.

Ahead of Tottenham versus Everton, the Lilywhites will be without their captain in the stands, and truthfully, it is a failure of the role by the centre-back.

What has Stuart Pearce said about Cristian Romero?

Romero has had his criticisms about his captaincy due to his rashness in tackles and consistency in picking up red cards, in which he has accumulated two this season.

It has sometimes been unfair backlash, but after his actions this week, his leadership should rightfully come into question, with Pearce joining in with the criticism.

Speaking on talkSPORT on the morning of 22 May, the former Premier League manager did not hold back on what he felt about the situation, stating: “It stinks. If you are a Tottenham fan, and your captain is thousands of miles away, wow.

“There’s a statement there that says, “I ain’t got you in this problem; it ain’t my fault.” That’s what that statement sends out to me. It’s not good.”

Pearce is entirely correct. Romero should be at the stadium on Sunday, and the fact the club captain is not there to potentially face supporters after relegation or rejoice at survival is a complete failure to understand the role he has.

A match in Argentina for his boyhood club is apparently much more important for the Spurs man. All signs point to Romero having one foot out of Tottenham.

How have Tottenham performed without Cristian Romero this season?

Availability is one of the most underrated traits in football, and Romero has not had that in his locker this season.

Whether it is through his six games missed through suspension or seven matches missed through injury, he has only featured in 23 games this campaign.

Interestingly, Tottenham have actually been marginally better without Romero playing. With their captain, Spurs have averaged 1.02 points per game, and without him that total stands at 1.07.

Additionally, since his most recent injury blow, Spurs have turned a corner in terms of form as well; they have picked up eight points from a possible 15 on offer.

In comparison, in the previous 15 points available, in games where Romero featured, they only secured two points.

Additionally, Romero has been in the team for four of Tottenham’s eight clean sheets, averaging a clean sheet every 5.75 matches.

But without him, Tottenham average a clean sheet every 3.4 games. Perhaps the N17 outfit are better off without him anyway.