Cristian Romero’s highly anticipated return to the pitch was abruptly halted in a tearful moment during Tottenham’s match against Chelsea on Sunday.
The defender had been sidelined for 35 days with a foot injury, but just as he was getting back to his best, a painful setback left him limping off the field.
His center-back partner, Micky van de Ven, would soon follow, leaving Spurs fans in disbelief.
The Comeback That Wasn’t
Romero’s comeback had been the focal point for many after a frustrating month on the sidelines.
He had been injured during Tottenham’s game against Aston Villa in early November, and his absence was keenly felt.
As Spurs faced Chelsea in a heated London derby, fans were thrilled to see the Argentinian back in action, especially after manager Ange Postecoglou had expressed doubts about his fitness earlier in the week.
Starting for the first time in over a month, Romero looked sharp early on.
But, just 15 minutes into the match, disaster struck.
After Tottenham took a surprising 2-0 lead, Romero went for a backheel pass, only to be left writhing in pain moments later.
His discomfort was evident, and within minutes, the physios were on the pitch to assess the situation.
A Quick Exit
Tottenham supporters’ joy quickly turned to concern as Romero was substituted, visibly frustrated and disappointed.
Radu Dragusin took his place, joining van de Ven in defense.
Romero limped straight down the tunnel for further treatment, with all eyes on him as he grimaced while returning to the bench.
His brief embrace with Postecoglou spoke volumes about the shared worry between them.
Fans gave him a warm round of applause as he left, but the mood was somber.
Despite the setback, Romero didn’t appear to be using crutches or a protective boot, which brought some relief.
However, his frustration was clear as he sat through the remainder of the first half, hoping for better news.
Van de Ven Follows Romero Off
Things went from bad to worse for Spurs in the second half when van de Ven also had to leave the pitch, clutching the back of his leg after feeling a hamstring twinge.
It had been a bold decision to start both Romero and van de Ven, who had not played since October 30.
The timing of their returns, in place of Dragusin and Andre Gray, now seemed questionable, especially with both defenders suffering injuries during the same match.
Fan Frustration and Worry
Spurs fans quickly took to social media to express their frustration, with many questioning the club’s decision to rush Romero back into action too soon.
One fan shared their anger, saying, “We’ve rushed Romero back, ain’t we?”
Another supporter expressed sympathy for the defender, wishing him a speedy recovery after his promising return was cut short.
What’s Next for Spurs?
With the busy festive schedule ahead, Tottenham will now need to assess the full extent of Romero’s injury and hope that it’s not another long-term issue.
The 26-year-old has already endured a career filled with injuries since joining Spurs, including missing 18 games due to a previous injury.
Fans and the club alike are hoping this setback won’t derail his season further, but only time will tell how much of an impact this latest injury will have.
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