EXCLUSIVE: Joe Cole delivers blunt message to Cristian Romero after ‘harmful’ Tottenham actions
Cristian Romero brought Tottenham Hotspur’s miserable start to the year to a head both on and off the pitch, taking aim at the club’s leadership before being sent off at Old Trafford.
The Argentine defender had criticised Spurs’ hierarchy last week over what he felt was a lack of investment in the squad. Head coach Thomas Frank quickly moved to shield his captain and calm the fallout, only to find himself under scrutiny himself days later.
Despite Romero’s outspoken remarks, Frank named him in the starting XI against Manchester United. However, the centre-back was dismissed within the opening half hour, a moment that compounded Spurs’ struggles and stretched their winless run to seven matches.
The defeat left Tottenham languishing in 15th place in the Premier League, just six points above West Ham in the relegation zone. Romero will now miss the next four fixtures through suspension, including the crucial North London Derby.
Speaking to football.london ahead of this weekend’s Premier League games on TNT Sports and discovery+, Joe Cole urged Romero to address grievances privately rather than publicly. The former Chelsea midfielder praised the defender’s quality but questioned his conduct.
Cole said Romero’s handling of the situation had been disappointing, stressing the importance of protecting the dressing room, particularly for senior players expected to lead by example. While acknowledging Romero’s ability and character, Cole argued that his recent actions had harmed the team, the club and his teammates.
Cole also expressed sympathy for Frank, who he believes is facing an enormous challenge at Tottenham. He described the Dane as a top manager operating in a difficult environment and called for patience from the club.
According to Cole, Spurs should allow Frank time to complete his first season before conducting a thorough review of the squad, culture and recruitment strategy. He suggested the club must decide whether issues stem from player quality, structural problems or deeper cultural concerns, and how long they are willing to allow for change.
Cole concluded that Tottenham’s best course of action would be to fully back Frank, listen to what he needs to rebuild the team and allow football decisions to be led by those with expertise, leaving the commercial side to the board.
