The atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur has shifted from ambitious optimism to a state of high-alert survival, and the recent events at Old Trafford have only added fuel to the fire.
Following a demoralizing 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario revealed that club captain Cristian Romero has officially apologized to his teammates for a red card that many, including Vicario, have labeled as entirely “avoidable.” It was a nightmare conclusion to a week that was already fraught with tension, leaving the North London side reeling and searching for answers as they slide further down the Premier League table.
The incident occurred just 29 minutes into the match. In a moment of characteristic aggression, Romero attempted to clear the ball but instead caught United midfielder Casemiro squarely on the ankle. The referee had little hesitation in showing a straight red card, a decision that essentially ended Tottenham’s chances of competing in the game before the half-hour mark.
For a team already struggling for confidence, playing with ten men for over an hour at one of the most intimidating stadiums in world football was a mountain too high to climb.
Speaking to the media after the final whistle, Vicario did not shy away from the gravity of the situation. He acknowledged that Romero was deeply disappointed in himself, recognizing that the challenge was unnecessary and the resulting dismissal was a self-inflicted wound.
According to the Italian goalkeeper, the captain stood up in the dressing room and took responsibility for his actions. While Vicario defended Romero’s quality as a player and insisted he would return stronger, the apology highlights a growing realization within the squad that discipline or the lack of it is sabotaging their season.
The timing of this red card is particularly ironic and damaging. Just days before the match, Romero had been vocal in his criticism of the club’s hierarchy.
He publicly described the lack of transfer activity during the January window as “disgraceful,” pointing out that the squad had been stripped down to just eleven fit senior players during a previous 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
While his comments resonated with a frustrated fanbase, his actions on the pitch have now made that very injury and availability crisis significantly worse. By getting sent off, he hasn’t just left his team short for one game; he has effectively removed himself from the equation for nearly a month.
Because this was Romero’s second red card of the current campaign, Premier League rules dictate an extended suspension. He is now set to miss the next four league fixtures.
This leaves manager Thomas Frank in a desperate position, forced to reshuffle an already thin defensive line during a period where every single point is critical for the club’s top-flight status. The statistics regarding Romero’s discipline are becoming impossible to ignore.
Since he made his debut for Tottenham in 2021, he has been sent off six times. No other player in the Premier League has seen more red over that same period, a fact that paints a picture of a player who, despite his immense talent, has become a liability in high-pressure moments.
| Season | Player | Red Cards | Status |
| 2025/26 | Cristian Romero | 2 | Suspended (4 games) |
| 2024/25 | Cristian Romero | 1 | Completed |
| 2023/24 | Cristian Romero | 2 | Completed |
| 2022/23 | Cristian Romero | 1 | Completed |
The loss to Manchester United leaves Spurs sitting in a lowly 14th place, with a meager 29 points from 25 games. For a club that prides itself on competing for European spots, the current reality is jarring. When asked if Tottenham is now officially in a relegation battle, Vicario gave a philosophical yet sobering response.
He admitted that while the team is trying to push through incredibly tough conditions, a record of only two wins in their last sixteen matches is “not acceptable” for a club of this stature. He emphasized that the “reality” is the results, and the results suggest a team in freefall.
The fallout from Romero’s latest indiscretion will be felt long after the bruises from the Old Trafford defeat have faded. The captain’s job is to lead by example, especially when the club is under fire.
By criticizing the board for a lack of depth and then immediately getting himself suspended, Romero has undermined his own argument and left his teammates to fight a battle he helped complicate. The focus now turns to Thomas Frank and how he can stabilize a ship that is taking on water.
Without their captain and primary defender for the next month, Spurs must find a way to stop the rot, or the “disgraceful” lack of players Romero complained about will be the least of their worries come May.
