Tottenham have been dealt an early season blow as it has emerged that key central defender Cristian Romero is set for a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury after his side’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The defender has been a key cornerstone of Antonio Conte’s back three since the Argentine returned from injury last season, and has developed a reputation as one of the best, if most fiery, centre-backs in the Premier League.
He has played all 180 minutes of Premier League action so far, but hit the headlines for all of the wrong reasons against Chelsea when his hair-pull on Marc Cucurella was deemed not dangerous play by VAR, allowing Spurs to equalise and sparking controversy on the pitch and the touchlines.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!!
Spurs steal a point in the 96th minute!! WOW!! ⚪ pic.twitter.com/cDrTfFdJpv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 14, 2022
However, the Argentine picked up a muscle injury, which Football.London claim means that he “is set for three to four weeks on the sidelines” as a consequence.
Should he miss a month, he will not be set to return until after the international break, meaning that he will miss clashes with Leicester City, Manchester City and West Ham as well as games against Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
In better news, however, Oliver Skipp is set to step up his recovery from injury, which has seen him miss the opening two clashes. Football London report that he “is hoping to begin outdoor work as part of his injury recovery later this week”.
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Who will deputise?
However, Conte could instead look to new signing Clement Lenglet, who has joined on loan from Barcelona and can play either in the middle or on the left side of the Italian’s back three system.
While it will certainly represent a major blow to the Lilywhites, they are certainly better prepared for his potential lay-off than they were last season.
