Expert: Tottenham ‘worried’ by official Cristian Romero announcement
Tottenham will “worry” that Cristian Romero is not match-ready ahead of Argentina’s clash with Italy at Wembley next Wednesday (1 June).
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Romero, 24, missed Spurs’ last three matches in 2021-22 with a hip problem.
But South American champions Argentina announced earlier this month (13 May) that the centre-back is in the squad for the meeting with European champions Italy next week.
Dinnery suggested that a lack of fitness ahead of the match, which has been dubbed ‘Finalissima’, could be an issue.
“This was a hip pointer problem,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“It was an impact injury rather than soft-tissue or muscular. The concern with aggravating an injury like this is a direct blow.
“But I imagine there will be allowances made, possibly in the form of protective padding.
“Spurs will worry that he is coming into a game after a few weeks on the sidelines. If he is to be thrown straight back into that team, fatigue and match readiness will be a concern.
“He might be doing work to maintain base levels of fitness but it will all be non-contact stuff at the moment.”
Romero has made 30 appearances in Tottenham colours since signing from Atalanta in August last year.
It has been widely reported that Spurs will soon make his loan deal permanent.
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