Tottenham news: Expert issues ‘six-week’ Cristian Romero absence claim
Tottenham were right not to take any chances with Cristian Romero despite his insistence that he could play through injury in the 1-0 win over Wolves last Saturday (20 August).
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Romero, 24, did not feature in the clash against Wolves, with Davinson Sanchez instead filling in on the right of the Spurs back three.
Per football.london last Sunday (21 August), the Argentine centre-back told Antonio Conte that he was ready to play despite his current groin issue.
It is understood, however, that the medical department advised against that course of action.
Dinnery insists that Conte made the right call to leave out Romero.
“When you’re talking about return-to-play strategies, there are a lot of influencing factors that you need to consider,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“First and foremost, there is the player himself. Also, there is the fixture run that Spurs have to come. Do you want to be risking a player unnecessarily?
“Do you keep a player out for a game or possibly two? Or, do you take the chance and run the risk of putting him out for up to six weeks?
“When Romero transitioned into that Spurs team, he picked up a couple of long-ish muscle problems. You don’t need to take any chances.
“When you look at the wider squad, you have the likes of Davinson Sanchez waiting in the wings. He will be asking what he needs to do if he can’t get in the starting XI when this player isn’t 100 per cent fit.
“So, there is a little bit of squad management there and it makes sense. They are easy decisions to make for the manager. You are managing the individual and you are also keeping the rest of the squad happy.”
In other news, pundit fears Eric Dier will “get in bother” after what he’s seen at Tottenham.