Cristian Romero

[Jurgen the German]

That's an interesting point regarding how he was managed last season vs this, certainly valid if true.

However for me this isn't just about yesterday's red card, whether it was right or wrong or not - he has got away with several potential red cards in addition to the ones he has justifiably received. But when I talk about mistakes I'm not just talking about when he sees the red mist, I'm talking about his actual defending. I just don't think he's that good, his aggression is often counter productive (it absolutely is a positive weapon at times) and positionally he's often found wanting.

Hes very good on the ball, but I just don't feel I know what Romero I'm getting on a weekly basis and can't hang my hat on him to put in a performance at all. I think he will be well suited to Spanish football, if we get a good fee for him I'd happily take it tbh - our recruitment of CBs seems pretty solid - Vuskovic, Danso, VDV. I know you hold him in higher regard than me, I really like his will to win but I just would rather someone a bit more reliable in various elements....

I’m with you. He’s a good defender, but he makes too many mistakes to be considered a top defender with the likes of Saliba, Toby, Vertonghen, King etc. Being a good footballer and good on the ball doesn’t make you a top defender, just ask John Stones. Romero has games where he drags us through with world class goals, but it’s the other end where his expertise lets us down with reckless decisions and brain farts.

 

[DubSpur]

In the interest of discussion not argument..:

Under Ange last season his 'card' record was excellent after he got warned by staff (Ange and Raimundo). This season he has been basically carrying us in all senses and all manners. I don't believe he has been managed well, I believe he has been allowed to dictate too much of everything (I love his goals but let's face it, if we had other ways to create and score we would only need him in one box regularly - corners obviously an exception; his maverick forward moves should be tempered via coaching and having better structure and shape in our creative play). Not publicly fining him for outbursts was a poor move too.

We have a rare talent here and we are going to lose him due to poor management. He has his issues yet we have done nothing to address them. Poch did with Dele, Ange did with Romero last season. I steadfastly maintain Saturday was all about history, and further the opposition's reactions. I am aware we disagree and thus fully understand you think I have that wrong. Interested in your perspective on the rest..

Carrying us this season??? With all respect, get a grip. He's far from carried us. He's been a liability in numerous games, and that's not counting the games that he hasn't been available. He's been at fault for a number of goals. Popping up with the odd goal is great, but if he did his primary job and defended properly, and managed to stay on the pitch, there wouldn't be a need for him to score goals. I'd much rather seem him being disciplined both in a defensive sense and in controlling his need to make overly aggressive tackles.
He can be world class on his day, but I'd rather a player that gives a 7 performance every week than someone like Romero who will give a 10 followed by a few 5s or a red card.

 

[monkeybarry]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I just don't see it as excessive or reckless, but I'll admit I'm quite old school in my thinking regarding fouls. I'm not of this "there was contact" school of thought. For something to be a foul it actually has to an actual foul for me. The player needs to be impeded or in this case, you win the ball you're allowed to contact the opponent especially if you're first and you're actually clearing the ball, physics doesn't allow a leg to just stop dead after contacting the ball. But as I said we will likely never see it the same way.

And to be 100% this is neither a Romero or a Spurs thing. I don't even think Romero is as good a defender as many harp on about and if that had been Casemiro getting sent off I'd say the exact same thing as I have any time an opposition player wrongly imo has been sent off against us or a penalty wasn't given

Using your outlook, an elbow breaking someone's eye socket would be allowed, as long as the ball is won first

 

[thfcsteff]

That's an interesting point regarding how he was managed last season vs this, certainly valid if true.

However for me this isn't just about yesterday's red card, whether it was right or wrong or not - he has got away with several potential red cards in addition to the ones he has justifiably received. But when I talk about mistakes I'm not just talking about when he sees the red mist, I'm talking about his actual defending. I just don't think he's that good, his aggression is often counter productive (it absolutely is a positive weapon at times) and positionally he's often found wanting.

Hes very good on the ball, but I just don't feel I know what Romero I'm getting on a weekly basis and can't hang my hat on him to put in a performance at all. I think he will be well suited to Spanish football, if we get a good fee for him I'd happily take it tbh - our recruitment of CBs seems pretty solid - Vuskovic, Danso, VDV. I know you hold him in higher regard than me, I really like his will to win but I just would rather someone a bit more reliable in various elements....

Great discussion BTW...I think he will leave anyway; he won't get a fair shake IMO. One thing which would be helpful is if he wasn't one of our two good passers/playmakers.

In 26 appearances last season he has 5 yellow
cards total across all comps.
He had 1 goal and 2 assists.

This season it is 8 yellows, 1 yellow to red, and one straight red across 28 games in all comps. He has 6 goals and 4 assists.

He has played more football for sure this season, and has been more important as a 'creative/goalscoring' player. Let's be honest, this is not really ideal. We want him primarily defending.

 

[thfcsteff]

Carrying us this season??? With all respect, get a grip. He's far from carried us. He's been a liability in numerous games, and that's not counting the games that he hasn't been available. He's been at fault for a number of goals. Popping up with the odd goal is great, but if he did his primary job and defended properly, and managed to stay on the pitch, there wouldn't be a need for him to score goals. I'd much rather seem him being disciplined both in a defensive sense and in controlling his need to make overly aggressive tackles.
He can be world class on his day, but I'd rather a player that gives a 7 performance every week than someone like Romero who will give a 10 followed by a few 5s or a red card.

"Get a grip" eh? Ha.
In return I say get a perspective.
I will repeat some stats.

<<In 26 appearances last season he had 5?yellow
cards total across all comps.
He had 1 goal and 2 assists.

This season it is 8 yellows, 1 yellow to red, and one straight red across 28 games in all comps. He has 6 goals and 4 assists.>>

I'll add some more. He got one red card under Ange against Chelsea. After that? None for the rest of Ange's time, and after that three game ban in 2023/24 for Chelsea, not even a yellow for the rest of the season.

Last season his remit was pretty different, and his behavior again well managed.

So...THIS season, 2 reds and 8 yellows already???? I would suggest that someone is not handling him or coaching him properly.

If these facts don't suit your opinion/narrative, then that's your choice. But they're facts, and I personally would rather pay attention to what they might suggest rather than bin off the biggest and most experienced winner we have in the squad (again a fact not opinion)...

p.s. if our style of football was one which saw us create chances beyond set-pieces and crosses slung in, then perhaps we wouldn't need his 5 goals and 4 assists this season; write to the manager and tell him