Doctor: Tottenham star likely to be ruled out of AZ Alkmaar clash with Grade 3 injury
Tottenham Hotspur’s defensive unit has faced a significant challenge with the prolonged absence of Argentine international Cristian Romero. Since suffering a Grade 3 muscular injury in Tottenham’s narrow 3-4 defeat to Chelsea in December, Romero has been sidelined from first-team action, leaving a notable gap in the Spurs defense. This article delves into the impact of his injury on Tottenham’s squad and analyzes the current state of play as Spurs prepare for their upcoming Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar on March 6, 2025.
Cristian Romero, who has been a standout performer for Tottenham since joining from Atalanta in 2021, sustained the Grade 3 muscular injury during the club’s high-scoring encounter against Chelsea. The injury, which typically involves significant damage to muscle fibers, has kept the 26-year-old out of action for an extended period. Dr. Rajpal Brar, a renowned expert in physical therapy and sports science, assessed the situation and revealed crucial insights into the injury’s severity.
According to Dr. Brar, a Grade 3 muscle injury typically requires an extended period of recovery, often involving both physical rehabilitation and a gradual return to full fitness. In the case of Romero, there is no specific timeline for his return to competitive action without posing a risk of re-injury. “There’s no guaranteed timeline for when he will be able to start with minimal injury risk,” Dr. Brar explained. “It all depends on how he responds to training and consistent minutes in matches.”
Romero’s injury has caused considerable concern among Tottenham supporters, given his central role in the team’s defensive structure. His presence has been sorely missed as Spurs have navigated their fixtures without one of their most reliable and influential defenders.
Romero’s absence from the starting XI for nearly three months has been a major blow to Tottenham’s defensive solidity. Since his injury in December, Spurs have struggled to maintain the same level of defensive organization that was apparent earlier in the season. The 26-year-old had been playing an essential role in Spurs’ backline, providing crucial interceptions, tackles, and overall defensive stability. In 12 Premier League matches this season, Romero averaged 2.3 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per 90 minutes, according to stats from WhoScored.
His leadership in defense, along with his ability to read the game, made him an invaluable asset to manager Ange Postecoglou’s tactical setup. Without Romero, Tottenham has been forced to rely on other options in the center-back positions. This is especially notable as Spurs aim to maintain a strong push in both the Premier League and the Europa League, where a spot in the knockout stages is critical.
Despite the challenges posed by his injury, Romero’s replacements have shown resilience in their attempts to fill the void. However, none have quite matched the defensive prowess and leadership that Romero brings to the team. This situation highlights the importance of having a strong and injury-free defense to contend with the demands of multiple competitions
As Tottenham approaches its upcoming Europa League fixture against AZ Alkmaar on March 6, 2025, the possibility of Romero returning to action remains unlikely. Dr. Brar noted that, even with the additional time for recovery, the chances of Romero being fit for the match against AZ Alkmaar are slim. “It’s still unlikely that he will be back in time for the next one,” said Dr. Brar, emphasizing the need for at least three to four days of full first-team training before Romero could be considered match-ready.
At this stage, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is not expected to have Romero available for selection. This places additional pressure on Postecoglou’s defensive options, particularly given the importance of the Europa League tie. Postecoglou will need to make adjustments and potentially rely on players like Kevin Danso and Archie Gray, who have stepped in during Romero’s absence.
In the absence of Romero, Postecoglou has turned to other center-back options, notably Kevin Danso and Archie Gray, who were both called upon in recent matches. They performed admirably in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Wednesday, which saw them face off against one of the Premier League’s most potent attacking sides. Danso and Gray will now be expected to play pivotal roles in the Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar, with the pair likely to start in central defense again.
Although not as experienced as Romero, Danso and Gray have shown promise in recent matches. Both players have been developing under the guidance of Postecoglou and have been gradually gaining more responsibility in the first team. While they are not yet at the same level as Romero in terms of defensive capabilities and leadership, their performances thus far have been commendable.
Danso, in particular, has impressed with his physical presence and ability to deal with aerial duels, while Gray has demonstrated composure and tactical awareness. While these two players may not fully replicate Romero’s quality and leadership on the pitch, they offer Postecoglou solid options in defense.
Despite the potential for mistakes and growing pains, Spurs supporters will be hoping that Danso and Gray can rise to the occasion and deliver strong performances in the coming weeks. The Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar will be a significant test for them, as Tottenham looks to secure progression to the next stage of the competition.
Tottenham’s defensive depth has been tested in recent months, and without Romero, the team has had to rely on a mixture of options to plug the gaps in central defense. The club’s other defenders, including Eric Dier, have also been rotated into the starting lineup, but none have been able to provide the same level of consistency as Romero. Dier, who is more accustomed to playing as a defensive midfielder, has had to adjust to playing in a central defensive role, which has occasionally disrupted Tottenham’s defensive balance.
The lack of a guaranteed timeline for Romero’s return means that Postecoglou must carefully manage the other defensive resources at his disposal. The coach has stressed the importance of maintaining team balance, especially with the club facing a demanding fixture schedule across multiple competitions. The defense will need to stay compact and organized to avoid conceding goals, particularly in high-stakes matches like the Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar.
It remains to be seen how long Romero will be unavailable, but Spurs will be hoping that he can return to full fitness as soon as possible to boost their defensive options. Given his integral role in the team, his return will undoubtedly be a welcome sight for Postecoglou and the entire Tottenham squad.
Cristian Romero’s injury has been a significant setback for Tottenham, particularly as they prepare for crucial fixtures in both the Premier League and the Europa League. His absence has left a noticeable void in the Spurs defense, and while players like Kevin Danso and Archie Gray have stepped up, they have yet to fully replicate the quality and leadership that Romero brings to the backline.
As Tottenham faces AZ Alkmaar on March 6, the defensive unit will be under close scrutiny, with Postecoglou looking for a solid performance from his makeshift center-back pairings. With Romero’s return still uncertain, Tottenham’s defensive depth will continue to be tested in the coming weeks. Fans will be hoping for a quick recovery for the Argentine, as his return to fitness would provide a significant boost to the team’s chances in the ongoing season.
In the meantime, Tottenham must continue to adapt and overcome the challenges presented by Romero’s injury. With a crucial run of matches ahead, the club’s defensive resilience and ability to step up in the face of adversity will be tested more than ever.
