Antonio Conte sends message to Tottenham star Cristian Romero after 2022 World Cup win
Cristian Romero. Hugo Lloris. Two FIFA World Cups within the last four-and-a-half years, two Tottenham Hotspur players crowned World Champions.
It is important for young players not to let newfound fame and success get to their head. They must keep their feet on the ground and continue to improve amidst higher expectations.
That’s what manager Antonio Conte wants his Argentine centre-back to do. A Copa America and FIFA World Cup champion by the age of 24, Romero has the world at his feet.
But things can go awry for players in this age bracket if they don’t continue to improve and lose the hunger to get better. When asked how he will keep Romero grounded after the highs of Argentina’s World Cup win in the final against France, Conte said (h/t Football.London):
“From what I saw in the last few days during the training session, I have seen him with great focus and with great desire to come back and play with us and to go with his mind into Tottenham’s situation.”
“For sure I am really happy for him… but he has to know very well that now starts the more difficult period for him because the expectation is going to become high for him. For this reason he has to work much more and continue to work, especially don’t lose the desire to improve himself.”
Romero featured in all seven of La Albiceleste‘s games in Qatar and was a strong presence at the heart of manager Lionel Scaloni’s team in another major tournament. He is now back at Spurs and available for selection.
We missed his presence in the 2-2 draw against Brentford on Boxing Day. Japhet Tanganga’s weak aerial duel with Ivan Toney indirectly led to Vitaly Janelt’s opener, before Eric Dier’s bizarre clearance conceded a corner kick which resulted in Toney’s headed goal.
Ever since his move from Juventus in January, Romero has been head and shoulders above all the other defenders in our team. Ben Davies and Dier have been good, but the former Atalanta centre-back has been dependable, aggressive, and consistent.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- Lucas Moura ‘expects offers from England’ after leaving Tottenham Hotspur at the end of contract
- Antonio Conte told to drop Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur starting XI after Brentford draw
- Spurs News: Manchester United now want Tottenham Hotspur target Kim Min-jae
Hopefully, this World Cup success doesn’t attract the envying eyes of other European superclubs. We are, after all, in a situation where we need to add at least one and preferably two world-class centre-backs.
