The news that Cristian Romero is set for a spell on the sidelines has come as a big blow to Antonio Conte and Tottenham. The Argentina international picked up a muscle injury in last Sunday's 2-2 draw at Chelsea, and football.london reported on Wednesday evening that he is set to be absent for three to four weeks as a result of the problem.
Romero will now miss out on the upcoming games against Wolves, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Fulham. The injury is likely to see him being unavailable for Spurs' return to Champions League action at the start of September and potentially their Premier League game away at Manchester City a few days later.
Davinson Sanchez deputised for his teammate when he was injured last campaign and the Colombian will be expected to step straight back into the side for the first time in 2022/23. Tottenham have already strengthened at the back this summer with Clement Lenglet joining on a season-long loan from Barcelona, but the player isn't a natural in Romero's role as he mainly operates on the opposite side of defence and in the middle.
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Another option at right centre-back for Conte is Japhet Tanganga, who returned to the bench at Stamford Bridge last weekend after missing out on selection a week earlier against Southampton. Playing regularly during Conte's first couple of months in charge with injuries decimating his defensive options, the academy graduate himself later sustained a knee injury that required surgery and didn't feature after the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea towards the end of January.
Dropping a further place down the pecking order following Lenglet's arrival, Tanganga has been heavily linked with a move away from the Lilywhites ahead of the transfer deadline. A number of clubs in Italy, including AC Milan and Roma, have been mentioned regarding a move for the 23-year-old and now have two weeks remaining to tie up a deal before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Romero's injury could potentially impact Tanganga, however, as Conte and Spurs need to ensure they have enough cover at the back with the ex-Atalanta man now ruled out for a period of time. As important as it is for Tanganga to get a sustained run of first-team games under his belt this season with a variety of different injuries forcing him to miss long periods since breaking through in 2019/20, what is best for Tottenham will come first rather than what is best for the player.
Already allowing Joe Rodon to depart on loan to French side Rennes, Tottenham could possibly look to bring in another addition at the back before deadline day regardless of whether Tanganga stays or goes. If the player is to depart for Italy, it is imperative that Spurs already have a new defender in through the door before he moves on due to Romero's injury.
After missing out on the matchday 20 against Southampton before returning vs Chelsea, the Hackney-born defender will be a regular in Conte's squad over the coming games as Tottenham look to carry on their bright start to the new campaign. Romero's injury could possibly impact Tottenham's Tanganga plans and that will become a lot clearer over the next fortnight.
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