Regardless of how the 2022/23 campaign ends for Tottenham Hotspur, the season will always be a memorable one for Cristian Romero. A season like no other with the 2022 World Cup bringing leagues all across the globe to a halt in November and December, Romero got his hands on the world's most famous trophy as Argentina went all the way in Qatar.
Bouncing back from a huge shock in their opening game against Saudi Arabia, the Tottenham centre-back more than played his part as Albiceleste, led by Lionel Messi, got their hands on the trophy for a third time. On top of the world with his country, things have been rather different at club level for Romero since the season began back in August.
Outstanding in his first year at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the 25-year-old has not been able to maintain the same levels this time around. Not helped by a couple of injuries during the first part of the campaign as well as Tottenham's mixed form, the player has also not helped himself at times with his rash play.
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Having picked up only two yellow cards prior to the World Cup, Romero collected them like they were going out of fashion following his return from Qatar as he accumulated six in seven games. Shown a red card in the 1-0 win over Man City in that period after receiving two yellows, five games later he again left the field early after two cautions in the vital Champions League home match against AC Milan.
Known for his aggressiveness and his liking for a big challenge on the pitch, Tottenham see a much better version of the Argentine when that aggression is controlled. Asked by football.london in March 2022 about Romero, former head coach Antonio Conte outlined the importance of the player focusing on his job at hand and why he must stop picking up cheap yellow cards.
"Cristian is a player who has to be focused in every moment of the game. If he’s good, he’s good to be focused from the start, from the first second to the last second of the game. He is a really important player for us. I think he has a bit to improve in this situation, to be focused in every moment of the game," he said.
"Sometimes he takes a yellow card that he can avoid. I think that he has to improve in his aspect, to be focused from the start until the end. Sometimes you can’t explain this to him in a good manner. Sometimes you have to shout! (Laughs)
"But he’s a good guy and he understands very well that what I do is always best for the team and for the best for the player to improve himself, because I think he has great quality to become a top defender so when I think this it’s important to find the right way to improve the player."
Romero is undoubtedly a "top defender" but the challenge now facing Ryan Mason is ensuring that Spurs see the very best of the ex-Atalanta man on a weekly basis. Tottenham's last two games against Liverpool and Crystal Palace showcased the best and the worst of Romero.
Poor at Anfield to begin with as Liverpool went two goals ahead, the World Cup winner then made a reckless tackle just inside the area that gave Mohamed Salah the opportunity to make it three from the penalty spot. It was completely rash and needless from Romero and his decision to go to ground really did cost his team.
Six days later and the player was at the top of his game in the win over Crystal Palace. Taking on a slightly different role as he played in a back four and then the middle of a back three as they switched formation when on the ball, Romero was a colossus at the back for the Lilywhites.
Also playing his part going forward with a header that crashed against the bar and then a fine through ball in the second half that almost culminated in Son scoring, it was his shift in defence that really caught the eye. As per FotMob, Romero won nine of his 12 duels and made 11 clearances, five interceptions and 12 recoveries.
His attacking numbers were also impressive as he played six balls into the final third, was accurate with three of his five long balls and he registered an 89% pass success rate. Given his up and down form this season, this is the version of Romero that Tottenham want to see week in, week out after a dominant display against the Eagles.
Mason now needs to make sure this is the case heading into the final three games of the campaign, with Tottenham's next head coach also facing the same challenge from August onwards. If Romero is at the top of his game then that could be key as to where Spurs finish the season as they look to secure a Europa League spot.
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