Dan Kilpatrick has questioned the defender’s commitment to Tottenham, claiming the defender often prioritized Argentina over his club.
Football correspondent Dan Kilpatrick has offered a scathing assessment of Cristian Romero’s legacy at Tottenham Hotspur, asserting that the Argentine central defender consistently prioritized international duty with La Albiceleste over his club commitments in North London.
Speaking on Last Word On Spurs and quoted by fan outlet Hotspur Lane on X, Kilpatrick pointed to a recurring trend throughout Romero’s tenure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, suggesting his focus frequently drifted toward South America whenever key international fixtures neared.
Reflecting on Romero’s time in N17, Kilpatrick emphasized that the 28-year-old’s personal priorities often appeared misaligned with Tottenham’s domestic ambitions:
“The theme of Cristian Romero’s time at #THFC was him caring more about the Argentina national team than he did about Spurs.
“More than once, he made decisions that suggested he was more focused on playing for Argentina.”
Kilpatrick’s critique echoes longstanding frustration among sections of the Spurs fanbase regarding Romero’s availability. From contentious travel decisions during international breaks to playing through minor injuries for Argentina while missing critical club fixtures, the defender’s primary allegiance has frequently been a topic of debate in North London.
Contrast with Legendary Predecessors
Kilpatrick’s remarks build upon recent comments from former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, who openly questioned Romero’s consistency and disciplinary record. While Alderweireld acknowledged Romero as an “unbelievable player” who can produce world-class displays on his day, he noted that elite central defenders must maintain an unwavering baseline standard, contrasting Romero’s unpredictable nature with the dependable partnership he formed alongside Jan Vertonghen.
Romero’s disciplinary history, marked by ill-timed sendings-off, suspension spells, and sporadic fitness issues, has repeatedly left Tottenham exposed during crucial stretches of Premier League campaigns, reinforcing Kilpatrick’s argument that his ultimate motivation lay with national team success.
The timing of Kilpatrick’s comments coincides with mounting speculation that Romero could depart Tottenham before the transfer window closes. European powerhouses including Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan have maintained strong interest in the World Cup winner, while Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi recently clarified that he will not force any player to stay if their heart lies elsewhere.
Although De Zerbi praised Romero’s professional conduct and work ethic during the closing stages of last season, the manager’s commitment to building a fully dedicated squad means Tottenham are open to assessing offers. Should a suitable transfer fee materialize, Romero’s complex and polarizing spell at N17 could soon come to a definitive end.