Tottenham Hotspur and their fans have received some bad news regarding injuries during the current international break, something that could benefit Manchester City.
Manchester City could be in line for a significant advantage ahead of their Premier League clash with Tottenham, as Spurs face growing concerns over the fitness of key defender Cristian Romero.
The Argentine centre-back, a cornerstone of Ange Postecoglou’s revamped backline, suffered a setback during the international break, potentially leaving Tottenham exposed in a high-stakes encounter.
Romero was substituted at half-time during Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier. Reports from journalist Gaston Edul suggest that Romero has been playing through pain in his right foot and will undergo tests to determine the extent of his injury.
Cuti Romero se va a hacer estudios.
— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) November 15, 2024
Jugó con dolor en el pie derecho. Corre riesgo de no jugar el martes.
Nico Tagliafico venía con dolores en el hombro hace más de un mes. No tiene lesión de gravedad pero se va a hacer estudios para descartar un esguince. También está en duda.
This follows an earlier knock he picked up during Spurs’ 4-1 win against Aston Villa, which already sidelined him for a Europa League fixture. While Romero’s determination to represent his country is admirable, it has reignited debates about the risks of international duty.
Manchester City might receive major boost ahead of Tottenham clash
For City, this news comes at a time when Tottenham’s defence is already stretched thin. Micky van de Ven, another standout performer this season, is sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving Spurs potentially without their first-choice centre-back pairing.
While Tottenham could turn to Radu Dragusin, the lack of familiarity and experience in such a crucial match might give Pep Guardiola’s side a noticeable edge.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Spurs, with a demanding run of fixtures looming in December. Romero’s absence, even if short-term, would be a blow to Postecoglou’s plans as he tries to maintain Tottenham’s strong start to the season.
With City’s attack firing on all cylinders, thanks to Erling Haaland’s sharp finishing and Phil Foden’s creativity, Spurs will need Romero at the back to stand any chance of keeping them in check.
This situation sheds light on the increasing focus clubs have on managing their top players more cautiously.
South Korea’s decision to sub off Son Heung-Min early to safeguard his fitness is a stark contrast to Romero’s heavy workload.
Tottenham’s medical team might need to rethink how they balance keeping players ready for both club and international duties.
Tottenham must capitalise on Manchester City's tough spell
Although it is true that Manchester City’s attack, led by Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, is a real threat to any team in Europe, the reality is that City’s level has been far from ideal lately.
Let’s take a quick look at Manchester City’s last five matches:
Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
November 9, 2024 | Brighton 2-0 Man City | Premier League |
November 5, 2024 | Sporting 4-1 Man City | Champions League |
November 2, 2024 | Bournemouth 2-1 Man City | Premier League |
October 30, 2024 | Tottenham 2-1 Man City | Carabao Cup |
October 26, 2024 | Man City 1-0 Southampton | Premier League |
It is in this context that Tottenham must seize the opportunity and try to get their Premier League campaign back on track, because for some time now, it has become urgent for Spurs to start accumulating points if their real ambition is to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season, which is increasingly looking more difficult.