Cristian Romero has had a pop at Tottenham Hotspur chiefs following the loss to Arsenal

Cristian Romero stirred controversy on social media after Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal by briefly reposting a report that suggested Spurs’ chiefs mishandled the return of their players from international duty. Romero, who was tasked with marking Gabriel Magalhaes during the set-piece that led to Arsenal’s winner, seemed to vent his frustration in the aftermath of the North London Derby defeat.

The reposted report, originally shared by Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul, criticized Tottenham’s leadership for their lack of attention to detail. The report translated to: “Tottenham lost to Arsenal again. Tottenham has not yet consolidated its position to fight because it is not in the details: It was the only club in the Premier League that sent players back from international duty on their own and without their own logistics by decisions of its leaders.”

It continued by highlighting that this decision left Spurs players, including Romero, with less rest than their Premier League counterparts. Romero, who reportedly played with a fever, briefly shared this message on his X (formerly Twitter) via Express account before removing it. However, screenshots of the post quickly began circulating among fans and media outlets, further fueling the controversy.

Romero’s Message to Fans and the Strain of International Duty

After removing the repost, Romero addressed Tottenham fans with a more composed message. “It hurts to lose a derby, but I have no doubt that we will turn this bad start to the season around. Let’s all be together, also at this moment. Thanks to all the fans for always supporting us,” he wrote, attempting to rally support for the team despite their challenging start to the season under Ange Postecoglou.

Romero had endured a gruelling international break, travelling to South America to represent Argentina. He played the full 90 minutes in both of Argentina’s matches, including a 2-1 loss to Colombia just days before the derby.

The demanding schedule seemed to have taken its toll, as many Spurs fans felt Romero’s performance against Arsenal was below par. While Paul Merson noted that Romero was unlucky not to receive a foul for a nudge from Gabriel during the goal, he also emphasized that the defending needed to be better in such a crucial moment.

A Potential Distraction in a Challenging Season

Romero’s brief outburst has highlighted potential frustrations within the Tottenham camp, particularly regarding the club’s handling of player logistics during international breaks. With Spurs already facing difficulties in the early stages of the season, this controversy adds another layer of complexity for Ange Postecoglou and his staff to manage.

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While Romero’s second message to fans sought to bring unity during this difficult period, the situation behind the scenes may need addressing to avoid further distractions. For Tottenham, ensuring key players like Romero are well-supported both on and off the pitch will be crucial as they look to steady the ship and get their season back on track.