Tottenham player left ‘deeply upset’ over his off-field treatment at the club

Cristian Romero, the Argentine defender and key figure in Tottenham Hotspur’s backline, has reportedly expressed frustration with the club’s medical team over their handling of his recent injury.

The 25-year-old, who suffered a quadricep injury during Tottenham’s clash with Chelsea on December 8, was sidelined for a staggering 86 days, missing nearly three months of action.

This absence came at a critical time for Ange Postecoglou’s side, as Romero’s injury coincided with Micky van de Ven’s unavailability, leaving Spurs defensively vulnerable during a pivotal stretch of the season.

Over the course of his recovery, Romero missed 21 matches, but he has since returned to action, featuring in Tottenham’s last four games across all competitions.

Romero’s return to the pitch has been gradual but significant. He played the full 90 minutes in Tottenham’s Europa League second-leg match against Alkmaar, logged 129 minutes across two Premier League fixtures, including a 68-minute appearance in the 2-0 defeat to Fulham, and completed 61 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

Despite his recent return to club football, Romero was called up to the Argentine national team for their World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, where he played the entire 90 minutes in a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

This display of fitness and resilience has raised questions about the handling of his recovery at Tottenham, with Romero reportedly expressing gratitude to Argentina’s medical staff while voicing dissatisfaction with Spurs’ physios.

Journalist Eduardo Burgos recently shed light on Romero’s feelings regarding his injury and recovery process. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Burgos revealed that Romero was “deeply upset” with how Tottenham’s medical team managed his rehabilitation.

The defender reportedly credited Argentina’s medical staff for helping him overcome the challenging period, stating, “I’m grateful that the national team’s medical team was able to get me out of that bad moment.” This public acknowledgment of Argentina’s physios, coupled with his silence regarding Tottenham’s medical team, has sparked speculation about a rift between the player and the club’s staff.

This is not the first time Romero has indirectly criticized Tottenham’s medical team. Upon making his long-awaited return from injury, the defender took to social media to express his gratitude, but notably omitted any mention of Spurs’ physios.

Instead, he wrote, “Thankful to the physios at Argentina for getting me out of a bad moment and putting me back on the field where I am so happy. Thank you all for your continued support.” This message, while heartfelt, underscored his apparent dissatisfaction with the treatment he received at Tottenham.

Romero’s comments have ignited a debate among fans and pundits about the effectiveness of Tottenham’s medical department. Injuries have plagued Spurs’ squad this season, with several key players, including James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur, spending significant time on the sidelines.

Romero’s case adds to the growing concerns about the club’s ability to manage player fitness and recovery effectively. While the defender has regained his place in the starting lineup, his public remarks suggest underlying tensions that could have broader implications for the team’s dynamics.

As Tottenham continues to navigate a challenging season, the handling of player injuries and rehabilitation will remain under scrutiny. Romero’s return to form is a positive development for Postecoglou’s side, but his criticism of the medical staff highlights potential areas for improvement within the club.

For now, the focus remains on the pitch, where Romero’s presence is crucial to Spurs’ ambitions. However, his recent comments serve as a reminder that off-field issues can often influence a team’s performance and morale.