Tottenham Hotspur have had a disastrous season. While they did well in European football, they have been in free fall in the Premier League. They have been fighting relegation for many months. It has culminated in a final day showdown whereby it'll either be them or West Ham who will go down.
In times like these, it's important that all players are present to show that they have fight and belief that they can beat the drop. This implies mostly to the captain of the clubs. Tottenham captain, Cristian Romero, won't be present.
The World Cup-winning defender has not featured for the North London club since sustaining a severe knee injury against Sunderland in April. Despite his captaincy status, Romero has reportedly opted against attending the final fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Instead, the 28-year-old centre-back has chosen to travel 7 000 miles back to his homeland to watch his boyhood team participate in a historic domestic title decider. The lack of boardroom and squad solidarity during a catastrophic campaign has sparked severe fury across the fanbase.
Romero will be in his native Argentina instead of at Spurs' final match of the campaign at home to Everton on Sunday as they battle to avoid relegation. Argentina defender Romero was already missing the game because of a knee injury and is in a race against time to be fit for this summer's World Cup.
A win for Spurs would guarantee Premier League safety, although a draw should be enough because of their superior goal difference over 18th-placed West Ham United.
While some Tottenham players who can't play in the match, including Ben Davies, will be in attendance, Romero is, instead, expected to watch his boyhood club Belgrano take on River Plate.
Tottenham manager, Roberto De Zerbi, said the decision for Romero to return to Argentina was agreed with the club's medical staff. "He spoke with the medical staff. Together, they decided to go to Argentina to complete the rehab."
"We spoke last week. With me, he showed always he wants to stay with us. The injury is already injured and we have to accept. I'm not stupid. If I understand there is any player or some player who thinks for himself before the club, I can't be the same Roberto. With Cuti Romero, I can't say nothing because with me in my time, he's been correct. At the beginning until now."
Asked if he understood why the decision may upset some Spurs fans, De Zerbi added "100% I understand".
Former Spurs captain and manager, Glenn Hoddle, criticised Romero, calling his decision "scandalous."
"I'd drive him to the airport and say don't bother coming back," he said.
Ex-Spurs striker, Teddy Sheringham, added: "The biggest game in the history of the club. I need you alongside your team-mates in the dressing room to give them some support. "I can't believe he's been allowed to go."
Belgrano president Luis Artime has reportedly confirmed that Romero is allowed to use the club's training facility as he recovers from the injury suffered against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in April.
Romero recently posted a video of congratulations to Belgrano, who have qualified for their first Argentina Primera Division Apertura final. The final kicks off at 20:30; with Spurs hosting Everton from 17:00.
De Zerbi said that his focus is on the players who are able to play on Sunday. The decision was with the medical staff and I think he can't change nothing if Romero is at the stadium or not," added the Italian.
"I have no time to lose energy or thinking [about] other things. We have to focus just on the game and I think we have the players good enough to achieve our target."
It's not unusual for players to return to their former clubs when recovering from long-term injuries, especially when it is someone who is playing for a club outside of their home country.
It is unknown whether Romero is receiving treatment in Argentina as he bids to be part of the defending champions' 26-man World Cup squad.
The most peculiar part is the timing of it. Spurs are one of only six clubs to have featured in every Premier League season and haven't played in the second tier of English football since 1977-78.
Romero can't provide any help to his players on the pitch but at a time where Spurs' immediate future is at serious risk; their captain is almost 7 000 miles away.
De Zerbi was asked about Romero's long-term future at the club and did not give a definitive answer over whether the defender has already played his final game.
Celebrity Tottenham supporter, Adam Richman, has launched a furious online attack against Cristian Romero after reports emerged that the captain will skip the club's definitive relegation showdown. The prominent television presenter blasted the sidelined Argentina international's controversial decision to travel across the globe rather than support his struggling team-mates in person.
The shocking revelation regarding the skipper's travel itinerary prompted a swift and blunt public response from the Man v Food star. Taking directly to social media to register his immense anger with the unavailable defender, Richman stated: "Hope everyone has a great weekend. Except you, Cristian Romero – you irredeemable d*ckhead."
Fans said he should still be there because of the importance of the match, and to support his teammates. It is unclear if he will return to London in time.
Former England captain Stuart Pearce said the timing of the trip "stinks."
A video of the Argentinian at the training ground of Buenos Aires-based Belgrano, was posted on X on Thursday by his boyhood club.
Pearce told TalkSPORT: "If you're a Tottenham fan and your captain is thousands of miles away, wow, there's a statement there. That means I've [Romero] not got you in this problem, it's not my fault, that's what that statement sent out to me. It's not good."
Pearce said he had watched Romero, who recently signed a new contract at Spurs, play earlier this season and looked at "how he was playing [the] game, how selfish his defending was. I looked at him and I thought, 'that's your captain?'".
De Zerbi, who described Romero as a "great captain" as recently as Monday, confirmed at Friday's pre-match news conference that Romero is back in his homeland continuing his rehabilitation from a knee injury ahead of the World Cup.
The Italian coach said he had no issue with the trip, as it was arranged through Spurs' medical team and he and Romero "spoke last week. With me he showed always his desire to stay with us."
South American football analyst, Tim Vickery, broke the initial news, detailing the domestic context driving the captain's controversial trip to Buenos Aires. Explaining why the fixture holds such deep personal significance for the defender, Vickery told talkSPORT: “He will be at the final of the Argentine Championship between Belgrano and River Plate.
"Belgrano are Romero’s club. It’s the club where he started and he’s a fan. Belgrano have never won the Argentine Championship. They are going to River Plate, who have won more than anyone else, so this is historic. Fifteen years ago, these two met in the play-off that relegated River Plate. If Tottenham going down is off the scale, River Plate going down is even more off the scale."
Belgrano president, Luis Artime, told TyC Sports: "Yesterday he [Romero] was training and I told him I think he's going to be the one who arrives at the World Cup in the best shape. I've seen him and he's in great form. He's going to arrive well-rested, ready to join the team at its peak."
Romero was not at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, where Spurs lost 2-1 to Chelsea but he was present for his side's draw with Leeds on 11 May.
According to De Zerbi, he has contributed to the squad's preparations despitebeing unable to play since mid-April.
Any absence on Sunday for one of the biggest Premier League matches in Tottenham's history may prove the final straw for some supporters.
Tottenham must avoid defeat against a stubborn Everton side on Sunday afternoon to guarantee top-flight survival and protect a quarter of a billion pounds in revenue. Compounding their anxiety, the home side enter the capital showpiece entirely winless in their last 10 home league outings. Should Spurs buckle under the intense pressure and West Ham defeat Leed; the North London side will suffer a catastrophic relegation to the Championship.
I'm not a Totenham fan but I even find this deplorable. He, as the captain, should be present for all matches. This is especially the case if they are facing relegation. I'm with the critics. Not being at one of the biggest matches for the club shows that he doesn't care about the club. It shows a lack of commitment.