Tottenham’s Season Struggles: Leadership and Defensive Concerns

omidbasir- Cristian Romero, Tottenham Hotspur’s captain, has been at the center of controversy this season, particularly following his candid remarks regarding the team’s recruitment strategy after a 2-2 draw against Manchester City. Despite feeling unwell and with only 11 players available for selection, Romero expressed his desire to contribute, stating on social media, “I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well – unbelievable but true and disgraceful.”

In the subsequent match, Romero received a red card during a confrontation with Manchester United at Old Trafford, leading to a detrimental 2-0 defeat for Spurs. The loss prompted the dismissal of Danish coach Thomas Frank after just one additional game—a defeat to Newcastle—leaving the club under interim management of Igor Tudor.

Currently, Tottenham finds itself languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, a mere five points above the relegation zone, raising concerns about potential survival struggles. Former Tottenham striker Bobby Zamora, in an interview with GOAL via Northerner, attributed the team’s challenges to ongoing defensive issues. He remarked, “For me, I still look at their defence, and that’s probably how I have looked at them for maybe four or five years. Romero is unpredictable, and he consistently presents an opportunity for penalties or red cards.”

Zamora emphasized the necessity of establishing a solid defensive foundation, likening the Spurs’ current defensive unit unfavorably to historically strong defenses like those of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce echoed these sentiments, criticizing Romero’s inability to learn from past mistakes despite his evident talent. He suggested that Romero should either be relieved of his captaincy or advised to alter his tackling approach. Allardyce stated, “If he continues to make the same errors, then he should be removed from the team. He is tarnishing his managers’ reputations by being uncontrollable.”

Zamora also cautioned Tottenham that they might only remain in the Premier League’s elite circle for a limited time, especially after finishing 17th last season despite winning the Europa League under then-coach Ange Postecoglou. The current season has proven to be just as challenging, with Tudor’s first match in charge set to be a significant north London derby against arch-rivals Arsenal this Sunday.