Tottenham Hotspur have discovered themselves in a precarious place within the Premier League for the second time in two seasons and have been compelled to place their heads down.
Ange Postecoglou might have received the Europa League in 2024/25, however he was given his marching orders after ending seventeenth in England’s prime flight.
Thomas Frank was the person tasked with main the Lilywhites into backing up the division this time round, and it appears just like the Dane might undergo the identical destiny.
With 13 video games remaining this season, his facet sit fifteenth within the division, simply six factors off the drop zone, with many groups under them presently in a lot better form.
Because of this, the opportunity of an unthinkable relegation battle might turn out to be a actuality, however the supervisor might be with out one senior member for a lot of upcoming journeys.
Why Romero might be stripped of Spurs captaincy
Following the departure of Son Heung-min in the summertime, Frank’s first job was to nominate a brand new membership captain, and he then handed that accountability to centre-back Cristian Romero.
In making the choice, the supervisor stated he believes he has “all the fitting qualities” and that he’s setting the fitting instance together with his “conduct on the pitch”.
However such remarks are actually outdated contemplating the 27-year-old’s on-field antics this season, which have seen the defender despatched off twice.
His first sacking was within the residence defeat to Liverpool in December, when the Argentine appeared to kick Ibrahima Konate and was given his marching orders.
Romero’s second purple got here in opposition to Manchester United final weekend and his lofty problem on Casemiro left his team-mate with a mountain to climb at Previous Trafford.
His variety of sending offs has since elevated to 6 in simply four-and-a-half seasons in North London, however there isn’t a doubt that his reckless nature has taken a toll on the primary workforce at key moments.
The right candidate to be Spurs’ new captain
As talked about above, many gamers have been blessed with the accountability of sporting the armband and main Spurs’ forwards, and Korean ahead Son has managed to thrive in that position.
He led the workforce to European glory final season, changing into the primary participant to guide the membership to a trophy in 17 years. This undoubtedly cemented him within the membership’s historical past.
Different gamers resembling Harry Kane have additionally had the privilege of sporting the armband, with the membership’s report goalscorer typically main by instance, which is what Frank desires from his leaders.
Nonetheless, there isn’t a denying that Romero has not lived as much as expectations and has struggled to deal with the accountability that such a scenario brings on the pitch.
His newest sacking ought to undoubtedly be the final straw for the Argentine, with Frank now having handy over the accountability to his centre-back associate Micky van de Ven.
The Dutchman has been an important possibility for the Lilywhites lately, having joined the membership from German facet Wolfsburg in a £40m deal in the summertime of 2023.
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The 24-year-old has since gone on to make 82 appearances for the membership throughout this era and has turn out to be arguably one of many membership’s most necessary gamers, with the membership now reportedly valuing him for a whopping £100m in January.
Coach Frank named him a part of the management after taking up, permitting the defender to put on the armband as a stand-in in Romero’s absence.
Described as ‘world class’ by presenter Adam Smithee, Van de Ven has been a shining mild within the Lilywhites’ backline this season and his spectacular stats are clear.
He has accomplished 89% of the passes he has tried thus far this season, whereas creating solely 0.2 possibilities per 90, subsequently highlighting his spectacular ball-playing qualities.
Micky van de Ven – Statistics for 2025/26 | |
|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 individuals) | tally |
video games performed | twenty three |
Variety of factors scored | 4 |
Go accuracy | 89% |
A chance has arisen | 0.2 |
deal with win | 1.2 |
aerial received | 1.3 |
dribbling success | 60% |
restoration has taken place | 3.5 |
The Dutchman has been equally spectacular when not in possession, profitable 3.3 duels out of 90 video games this season and main the way in which in 1.3 aerial duels per recreation.
He additionally has 1.2 tackles and three.5 ball recoveries per 90, and his unimaginable velocity typically saves him and his teammates from quite a few harmful conditions within the defensive third.
Van de Ven’s report of 4 targets in 23 league appearances is testomony to his high quality in attacking areas, and in addition highlights his management qualities to step up when needed.
As talked about above, the accountability of a captain at Spurs is to be somebody who can produce outcomes and push the membership in the fitting path, and Romero was unable to try this.
Van de Ven actually has each of these abilities in abundance, and Frank desperately must make the decision and snatch the armband from the Argentine.
Worse than Romero: £25m star shouldn’t have any future at Spurs in any respect
Cristian Romero just isn’t presently on the Tottenham supporters’ rankings.
