Romero delivers disciplined defensive performance for Tottenham

After some rough spots in early 2022, Cristian Romero has grown into the Antonio Conte system and was outstanding defensively against West Ham for Tottenham. 

Both the timing, only a few weeks in new coach Antonio Conte’s arrival, and the significance, Romero was out for three months. His injury meant it would take some time for Cristian Romero to acclimate to Conte’s defensive system. After some growing pains that have included some rash challenges and suspect marking, Spurs fans are finally starting to see the real Romero. He was excellent against West Ham in the Tottenham victory on Sunday.

Adapting to Tottenham and the Premier League

Each league is unique, and for some players, making the transition from one league to the next can be difficult. Add in the injury and two different coaches, and it is easy to understand why Romero may have had a few hiccups in his development in north London. At times relentlessly, Romero loves to attack the ball, and that style had to be adapted to the Premier League game.

Against West Ham, Romero showed he has fully adapted to the league in tight and open spaces when it comes to winning the ball. Romero had a big tackle right in the middle of the park on Tomas Soucek, only a few feet away from referee Anthony Taylor, and Romero got the ball, and play proceeded.

On the Souchek tackle, Romero used the outside of his right foot to win the ball without cutting across the Soucek, as he would have done with his left foot. On another occasion – after Son ran into Taylor, allowing West Ham to take possession and counter, Romero was able to step up quickly and pressure Manuel Lanzini and stimy the Hammer attack.

Earlier this season, Romero likely would have come in with less abandon and picked up a foul on both occasions. Now, Romero has learned the pace of the league and was able to tackle, defend, and help the team in critical moments in the middle of the field.

Channeling his frustrations for good

Maybe the most impressive play, which demonstrated the growth and ability in Romero, was in the 83rd minute when he lost possession. That Romero had some 89 touches and was dispossessed only the time was a feat already; more impressive was his response.

Romero lingered on the ball too long near midfield and lost possession to Benrahma, who went flying toward Spurs goal with the ball. How possession was lost and the clear opportunity it created often leads to an almost immediate foul and a yellow card or worse.

In this instance, Romero channeled his frustration of losing the ball, not into a reckless, revenge tackle, but rather into his all-out effort to recover possession. First, Romero showed some great burst to catch Benrahma, and then the Argentine defender hounded Said until he won back control and then played a good ball forward to Harry Kane.

The play to Kane did not lead to anything significant; more importantly, neither did the Romero turnover, thanks to his stout defending.

Still far from perfect but talented and improving, Cristian Romero was outstanding against West Ham and was a substantial piece of Spurs win. With another international break coming, we can only hope Romero stays healthy because only an injury can slow his growth and development as a defender.