(Credit: Imago/Getty Images)

Jack Heath

Mon 11 August 2025 14:34, UK

Thomas Frank must come to a decision between Cristian Romero, Giuglielmo Vicario and Ben Davies as the main candidates to take over from Tottenham legend Son Heung-Min.

After a magnificent end to a loyal decade at the club, the Korean has left to join LAFC in a MLS record-breaking deal of £20million (Sky Sports).

The 33-year-old managed to lead the Lilywhites to a much-needed Europa League trophy, a feat that former teammate and Spurs icon Harry Kane could never achieve.

However, following his departure, there remains a chasm in the north of London for who will fill the vacant captaincy position.

With less than a week to go until the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season, Thomas Frank must hurry to appoint his new leader as his side go toe-to-toe in the Champions League next year.

Filling the shoes of Sonny will be a monumental task for whoever takes over, but there are three main names that will almost certainly be in the conversation.

Tottenham captaincy candidates

Cristian Romero – the bold choice

Having previously held the position in Son’s absence when injured, the Argentine rightly puts his name in the conversation to be the next leader of the club.

His application and measuredness has been consistently challenged during his time in north London after several bouts of rashness and ill-discipline.

Former Chelsea and West Ham left-back Scott Minto dismissed Romero as an untrustworthy and hot-headed candidate for the captaincy, suggesting he is an unreliable pick.

Intriguingly, last season the World Cup winner actually picked up the least amount of yellow cards since joining the Lilywhites, even avoiding a red card for the first time in four campaigns.

Albeit potentially due to reduced game time as result of injuries, this does suggest a trend of a defender who is beginning to become more disciplined.

At 27-years-old and starting to enter the “prime years” of his career, it looks like the number 17 has learnt from his previous mistakes and is ready to make the next step up to become the permanent captain under his new manager.

Ben Davies – the calculated appointment

Entering his 12th season in Lilywhite colours, the Welshman has been a dedicated and vocal figure both on-the-pitch and in the changing rooms.

At 32-years-old the former Swansea full-back has been a pivotal figure for Spurs and has always been reliable and consistent.

Now, the last player from the Champions League 2018-19 final defeat against Liverpool, the left-back turned centre-half is the logical option to promote to captain.

Of particular note is the level of praise his new gaffer has given since joining the club from Brentford earlier this summer.

Speaking to football.london (5 August), the Dane showered the Wales international with compliments on his mentality and exemplar presene, stating: “I think his leadership qualities, his character and the way he understands the bigger picture.

“Everyone has got an ego, but his ego is not too big and that is good. So you understand how much you need to help the team and the younger players.”

The ex-Bees manager even admitted he has contemplated assigning the captaincy to Davies: “It is definitely something I am thinking about, yeah, I will say it that way.”

The number 33’s experience and calmness warrants attention to be in the running for the armband.

Giuglielmo Vicario – the dark horse

If you ask any Tottenham fan who they would choose to assume the armband, the Italian would definitely be one of the last names to come out of their mouths.

The number one has now completed two seasons in the Premier League and became a favourite under previous boss Ange Postecoglou.

With the Australian now gone, the Italy international must impress his new manager by demonstrating confidence and security from the back that can extend to the whole team.

In an interview with The Athletic (11 August), the goalkeeper spoke of much-needed improvement for the upcoming season after a disastrous domestic campaign, salvaged by success in Europe.

The article noted the ex-Empoli shot-stopper sounded “like a natural leader” when he spoke “honestly about Spurs’ ambitions for the season”.

Vicario has excelled in north London but also has come under extreme criticism, mostly linked to his lack of strength when dealing with set-plays and minor mistakes that have cost Spurs in crucial games.

Yet, the 28-year-old has continued to silence the doubters, producing match-winning saves off-the-back of harsh criticism, suggesting he could be a superb example to lead the side week-in-week-out.

Vicario offers a more reassuring and calmer presence as captain than Romero

Whilst the South American remains as a front-runner, I’ve been regularly frustrated by his rashness and susceptibility to lose his rag during matches.

I vividly remember when he captained the side towards the back end of last season, where the centre-back stropped off the field after a disappointing defeat away to Wolves.

That is not the right attitude or mentality for a prospective captain and Romero seems an untrustworthy candidate.

Conversely, Davies has all the right attributes to be a great leader, but trusting the armband to a declining footballer who will rarely feature from the get-go seems to be an odd decision if it were to carried out.

A voice in the background, 100%, but it sends out the wrong message having your captain sitting on the bench instead of playing.

This brings me to Vicario, who is an underrated pick for the captaincy.

After facing an array of criticisms over his footballing ability, the Italian has always bounced back with a never give up attitude.

His presence and composed nature would instil confidence in myself and other Spurs fans if he was to take up the reigns as Son’s replacement and I also imagine the Korean would strongly endorse his candidacy as well.