Another central defender added to Tottenham’s injury list alongside Cristian Romero
Tottenham Hotspur will be desperate to bounce back with a victory on Wednesday night in the Champions League, as they face a tough test against Ligue 1 side Monaco. Spurs suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League last Sunday, a result that highlighted their recent dip in form after a bright start to the season.
Their woes deepened when Cristian Romero was forced to withdraw from the starting lineup just before kickoff against Villa due to an adductor injury sustained during warmups. Although Kevin Danso stepped in and delivered a solid performance in central defense, Tottenham clearly missed Romero’s influence, particularly in building play from the back. The Argentine defender will also miss the Monaco clash, a significant blow against a French side known for their attacking prowess, especially with young talents like Maghnes Akliouche in form.
Adding to the defensive concerns, manager Thomas Frank confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Ben Davies has joined Romero on the injury list. The Welsh defender, who suffered a hamstring injury during the October international break, is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. While Davies is no longer a first-choice starter, his absence further weakens Tottenham’s depth in defense.
With Romero and Davies both unavailable, and injuries still keeping Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin out, Spurs are left with only Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso as fully fit center-backs. The team cannot afford any further setbacks in that area, as injuries continue to pile up across multiple positions this season.
Frank also confirmed via Sky Sports that left-back Destiny Udogie remains unavailable for the Monaco fixture. Udogie, who missed the Villa game, has yet to recover, leaving Tottenham to rely once again on Djed Spence to fill in on the left side of defense. While Spence offers solid defensive cover, he lacks the attacking dynamism that Udogie brings, putting extra pressure on Tottenham’s left-wing options such as Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel.
Despite Danso’s strong showing against Aston Villa and his past experience in Ligue 1, no one in the squad can fully replicate Romero’s all-round impact, especially his ability to progress the ball and dictate play from the back.
Tottenham’s recent performances have been inconsistent — after impressive early-season displays against PSG and Manchester City, they’ve struggled to dominate lesser opponents and secure convincing wins. The trip to Monaco will therefore serve as a major test of character for Frank’s side, who must cope without key players like Romero and Udogie.
Meanwhile, promising young defender Luka Vuskovic continues to impress while on loan at Hamburg. The Croatian prospect, often compared to Sergio Ramos, showcased his talent once again with a standout performance for Croatia’s U21 side, nearly scoring a stunning free kick in a 1-0 victory over Ukraine. His progress serves as a reminder of Tottenham’s bright future in defense — though for now, their senior side faces a serious shortage of fit options ahead of a crucial European night in Monaco.
