With a record-breaking disciplinary issue and public outbursts, the Argentine defender is no longer the leader Spurs need under the Thomas Frank era.
The “Warrior” has become a liability Cristian Romero arrived at North London under Nuno Espírito Santo as a “warrior.” His aggressive style and leadership were vital during the Postecoglou years, even contributing to that unforgettable Europa League title. However, in 2026, the warrior has become a liability for Thomas Frank.
A disciplinary nightmare Saturday’s red card against Manchester United after a reckless challenge on Casemiro was the tipping point. Romero now holds a record no player wants:
- 6 red cards in all competitions (joint-most in Spurs history).
- 2 red cards only in the 2025/26 season.
- 4-match suspension at a time when Frank has only 11 fit senior players.
“Never really wanted to be here” Beyond the pitch, Romero’s attitude is raising eyebrows. His recent social media post criticizing the club’s medical department caused internal friction. As Spurs legend Chris Waddle recently noted, it often looks like Romero “never really wanted to be at Tottenham.”
With Spurs struggling at a 1.15 PPG (Points Per Game) rate lower than even the toughest periods under Ange Frank needs reliability, not volatility.
The Summer Reset As the club looks toward the 2026 summer window, a total reset is needed. While Guglielmo Vicario and Pedro Porro have struggled for form, Romero’s issues are systemic. If Spurs want to climb back into the Champions League spots, selling their captain might be the first step to fixing the dressing room culture.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
