Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero has faced criticism after the team’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City in their Premier League opener.
Former Spurs scout Bryan King singled out Romero’s poor positioning as a crucial factor in Leicester’s equalizing goal, which was scored by Jamie Vardy.
Tottenham had initially taken the lead in the first half through Pedro Porro and seemed poised to secure a victory.
However, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, allowing Leicester to equalize and ultimately share the points.
King, in an interview with Tottenham News, expressed his frustration with Romero’s defensive lapse, noting that the defender lost track of Vardy inside the box.
The pundit emphasised that, as a World Cup winner and the club’s vice-captain, Romero is held to a high standard of performance.
This lapse in concentration was uncharacteristic for a player of his standing.
According to King, Romero’s mistake not only cost Spurs a potential win but also put them under pressure as Leicester threatened to score a late winner.
Given Romero’s experience and reputation, such errors are uncommon, and King underscored the need for the defender to avoid these mistakes, especially in crucial moments.
He said:
“I don’t know where Romero was for Leicester’s goal, he was caught ball-watching.
“It was absolutely his fault. We’re talking about a World Cup winner, someone who performed very well for the club last season.
“He got pulled across and forgot Vardy was still in the box, which resulted in the striker equalising and then suddenly there was a period where Spurs were hanging on.”
As Tottenham prepare for the upcoming matches, expectations will be high for Romero to quickly move past this incident and continue leading the defence with the composure and excellence that have made him one of the team’s key players.
Ange Postecoglou should have drag player off at half-time against Leicester City.
Ange Postecoglou would be wise to replace Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson at half-time against Leicester City.
Tottenham made a dominant start in the opening exchanges at the King Power Stadium on Monday (19 August).
That dominance was finally rewarded in the 29th minute when Pedro Porro turned James Maddison’s cross home to score Spurs’ first Premier League goal of the season.
however, the visitors were unable to add to that tally, and Postecoglou should therefore consider replacing Johnson, with the Welshman something of a passenger during the first 45 minutes.
Ange Postecoglou must drag Tottenham ace Brennan Johnson off at half-time against Leicester City
For all of Spurs’ dominance in the first half, Johnson was unable to provide much threat in the attacking third for his side.
Most of Tottenham’s dangerous play came through Son Heung-min and Maddison.
Son played two key passes and completed four of his six dribbles while Maddison completed 92 per cent of his passes, with three of those key (Sofascore).
Meanwhile, Johnson completed zero per cent of his crosses into the box for brand-new signing Dominic Solanke to latch onto.
In addition, he was dribbled past once, gave possession of the ball away six times and completed just 83 per cent of his passes.
If Postecoglou wants his side to add more goals in the second-half he should consider bringing on Dejan Kulusevski, who was perhaps unfairly left out in the first place.
