Tottenham’s £42m player proved why Daniel Levy is ready to sell him with poor display vs Wolves
Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal 4-2 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers didn’t just highlight systemic issues in Ange Postecoglou’s setup—it cast glaring scrutiny on Cristian Romero’s future at the club.
The Argentine defender, once considered untouchable, delivered a performance so error-strewn that it validated reports of Tottenham’s willingness to entertain offers for their World Cup-winning center-back.
Romero’s afternoon at Molineux encapsulated both his virtues and fatal flaws. While his 90% pass accuracy (72/80 completed) hints at technical competence, the devil lurked in the details:
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Possession lost | 11 times |
| Errors leading to goal | 1 (directly gifted Wolves a chance) |
| Defensive duels | Won 5 of 7 attempted |
| Positioning issues | Repeatedly caught ahead of play |
These numbers crystallize why Daniel Levy has reportedly set a £45 million price tag—only marginally above the £42 million Spurs paid in 2021.
Romero’s rash decision-making and positional indiscipline left Tottenham’s makeshift backline exposed, with Ben Davies repeatedly abandoned to handle counterattacks alone.
The 26-year-old’s volatility has long been a double-edged sword. His aggression galvanizes teammates when controlled but destabilizes the defense when reckless.
Against Wolves, it tipped decisively toward the latter: one errant pass gifted Gary O’Neil’s side a golden opportunity, while his advanced positioning—a hallmark of Postecoglou’s system—left gaping holes Wolves exploited ruthlessly.
Contract talks to make Romero Tottenham’s highest earner have stalled, and Atletico Madrid’s interest adds credible exit momentum.
Diego Simeone’s structured system might better harness Romero’s combativeness while mitigating his recklessness—a stylistic fit that could benefit all parties.
For Tottenham, selling now represents a pragmatic reset. Romero symbolizes the chaotic inconsistency plaguing their season—17 Premier League defeats and counting. While his passion resonates with fans, elite defenses require reliability.
As Postecoglou (or his successor) plans a summer overhaul, Romero’s Wolves performance inadvertently strengthened the case for reinvesting his fee into a more composed defensive leader.
This isn’t to dismiss Romero’s contributions—his partnership with Micky van de Ven earlier this season showed promise. But Tottenham’s ambitions demand defenders who elevate the collective, not sporadically undermine it.
With Atletico circling and Spurs open to negotiations, this summer could mark the end of an era—one defined as much by frustration as flashes of brilliance.