Tottenham stars defend Cristian Romero after latest red-card risk: 'We've got to trust him'

Spurs defender will face a four-match ban if he is sent off again this season, which could easily have happened against Newcastle
Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP11 December 2023

Cristian Romero's Tottenham team-mates have defended the Argentine after he was lucky to avoid a red card for a rash tackle on Callum Wilson in Sunday's 4-1 win over Newcastle.

With Spurs cruising at 3-0 in the second half, Romero caught Wilson's ankle with his studs and was booked by referee Chris Kavanagh.

Commentating for Sky Sports, Gary Neville said the challenge was worthy of a sending off but the VAR agreed with the referee's decision.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described the tackle as "high" and "reckless" and said he was "just relieved" to see Wilson get up unscathed.

Romero was shown a straight red card in the 4-1 defeat by Chelsea last month - with Spurs leading at the time of his dismissal - and was suspended for the subsequent losses to Wolves and Aston Villa, and the draw with Manchester City.

Romero will be banned for four matches if he is dismissed again this season, but Dejan Kulusevski says the team has to trust their vice-captain.

"He gives us so much, he's an unbelievable player and he always plays on that mark [line]," the Spurs midfielder told Standard Sport.

Cristian Romero risked yet another sending off with a rash challenge on Callum Wilson
Getty Images

"The only one that knows how long he can go is him. We've got to trust him, I trust him. He's my brother so whatever he does we support him.

"He's a very important player for the team. He's a World Cup winner, he's a champion. A big player, a great defender but very calm with the ball, always looking for the right pass."

But Kulusevski acknowledged that Spurs could ill-afford to lose Romero to another suspension, with the 25-year-old currently the only fit centre-back in Ange Postecoglou's squad, with Micky van de Ven, Eric Dier and Ashley Phillips all injured.

"We already dealt with that [Romero's suspension] and we also have Micky out, so it's very important that we stay disciplined," added the Swede.

Ben Davies, who partnered Romero at centre-back, played down the severity of the challenge on Wilson and says he is enjoying playing alongside him.

"He's an aggressive defender and he's going to go for the ball," Davies said. "He can't have got it that wrong, it wasn't a red card and VAR will check it. It might not have been the best tackle but that's football.

"We've got to trust him, I trust him.... he's my brother"

Dejan Kulusevski on Tottenham team-mate Cristian Romero

"He's always on the front foot. That's a big part of his game, and when we're on the ball we feel like we're always going to break the line and pass out. I think we complimented each other well."

The thumping victory over an exhausted Newcastle ended Spurs' run of five straight games without a win, courtesy of a Richarlison double.

Destiny Udogie and the Brazilian both converted Heung-min Son crosses to put Spurs 2-0 up at the interval and Richarlison added a third before Son won and converted a late penalty. Joelinton scored a stoppage-time consolation for the visitors.

"We scored four goals but we felt like we could score so many more," added Kulusevski.

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