The relegation worries for Tottenham have intensified following the news that their captain, Cristian Romero, will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Romero was visibly distressed as he exited the field during the 70th minute of Sunday’s narrow 1-0 defeat against Sunderland. The injury occurred when he collided with striker Brian Brobbey, leading to a collision with his own goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky. Reports indicate that Romero has sustained damage to his medial knee ligament, which is expected to require about eight weeks for recovery.

This injury has alleviated concerns in Argentina regarding his availability for the upcoming World Cup this summer. However, Tottenham, who ended the weekend in 18th place, will likely be without a pivotal player for their final six matches of the season, a critical stretch that will determine their status in the Premier League or relegation to the Championship next year.

When questioned about Romero’s condition following the match at the Stadium of Light, Tottenham’s head coach Roberto De Zerbi responded, “I don’t know. I hope it’s not a significant problem for us because he is an essential player. He’s a great person, an outstanding player, and has a strong personality. We need him to help us finish this season and reach our objectives.”

Medical evaluations have revealed that the injury is not as severe as initially feared; however, it remains a significant setback for a team that has yet to secure a domestic win in 2026 and has suffered 16 league defeats this season.

Romero’s injury further complicates an already extensive list of absentees. Both of Tottenham’s previous managers, Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, have been without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, who have not played all season. Additionally, Wilson Odobert and Mohammed Kudus are also long-term injuries. Kinsky, who replaced the injured Guglielmo Vicario, was on the field at the Stadium of Light after Vicario underwent surgery for a hernia.

Following the incident involving Brobbey, he received racist abuse on social media. Sunderland issued a statement expressing their support for him, stating, “We stand firmly with Brian and offer him our full and unwavering support. The club has reported this incident to the Premier League, the relevant social media platforms, and the police, and we anticipate prompt action against those responsible.”