'Crucial player'—Thomas Frank intent on keeping star Tottenham defender this summer

Thomas Frank is an intelligent man. There's no way he'll be letting Cristian Romero leave this summer.

Ange Postecoglou's vice-captain has frustrated supporters throughout his time in north London, initially due to his proclivity for mayhem, but more recently because, well, he hasn't played all that much.

Some questioned whether Romero cared at all about the club that paid £42.5m for his services back in 2021, given that he was suspiciously omnipresent when Argentina camps rolled around. However, the Argentinian defender dispelled any such notions with the run he put together alongside Micky Van de Ven amid Spurs' ascent to the Europa League final.

Romero was spectacular in Bilbao, but Postecoglou's sacking has increased fears over his potential departure, given the reported interest from Atletico Madrid and the player's admitted intrigue regarding a potential La Liga move.

Thomas Frank wants to keep 'crucial player' Cristian Romero this summer

Romero waited until Frank's appointment was confirmed to bid farewell to the manager with whom he had seemingly grown close. The timing suggested that the defender was sending out a statement, potentially to the board, after Postecoglou helped bring to an end our 17-year wait for a major trophy.

Thus, one of Frank's first significant tasks in his new role is getting the centre-back onside. Romero relished the newfound responsibility bestowed upon him by the previous regime, and he's surely a contender to take the armband if Son Heung-min departs this summer.

Despite rumours suggesting Romero could seek a move away, Fabrizio Romano (via Chris Cowlin) believes that prising the 27-year-old out of north London will be difficult: "I don't see Tottenham losing a leader like [Cristian] Romero this summer. Daniel Levy wants to keep the player at the club. Thomas Frank sees Romero as a crucial player to the squad," he said.

Spurs' chances of retaining Romero were undeniably boosted by the success in Bilbao, which means we'll be competing in next season's Champions League and involved in the UEFA Super Cup for the very first time next month. Defeat to Manchester United, and Atleti probably would've been racing to sign him in time for the start of the Club World Cup.

However, merely retaining Romero this summer isn't enough for Spurs given his contract situation. Two years remains on his current deal, and Levy won't allow the defender, who's entering his prime, to venture into his final year unsigned.

The club must work tirelessly to extend the 27-year-old contract, then we can look forward to an exciting new dawn with the charismatic Frank at the helm.