Tottenham star center back Cristian Romero publicly commented that he dreams of joining a club in LaLiga at the end of the season in an interview conducted on Spurs grounds as vice captain of a team in a moment of crisis.
Romero has apparently already agreed to join Atletico Madrid behind closed doors, and while Tottenham and Atleti still have a long ways to go before they agree on appropriate compensation, it's been a case of "good riddance" for many Spurs fans after his public comments, though a recent strong big-game performance in the Europa League has mended some of those tensions.
Still, Romero outright admitting that his eyes are on something other than the prize with the season on the line in the Europa League and awful results pouring out in the Premier League was a massive misstep that should honestly concern interested clubs about his mentality and leadership.
Destiny Udogie didn't engage with Man City transfer rumors
As deeply disappointing as Romero's words were for Spurs fans, it's been refreshing seeing how a younger teammate handled more specific transfer rumors linking him to arguably the most powerful club in the Premier League, Manchester City.
The Citizens need fullbacks and Spurs have two of the best in Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie. Both have been linked to City, and the latter was recently asked about those transfer rumors, telling outlet HaytersTV, "We’re trying to finish the season strongly, so I’m trying to help my team and that’s it.”
Udogie is a versatile and well-rounded 22-year-old left back who has the potential to be one of the best and most unique players in the world in his position, hence why it's no surprise to see so many big clubs like Man City interested in the Italian international. But quotes like this one, where Udogie is simple and to the point in a professional manner, are part of the reason why Spurs have no interest in bowing down to the transfer interest.
His lack of engagement with a baiting transfer question shows maturity, respect for the club, and a level of diplomacy that Tottenham need to set as a bare minimum expectation from their players. Udogie isn't even the captain. He's a 22-year-old being linked to the richest club in his country and yet is level-headed enough to not care and to focus on the task at hand, which is to make sure that Spurs are set up for success next season in the Champions League.
Take note, Cristian Romero. Your own junior teammate just taught you a lesson in how things should be done.