{"id":1431918,"date":"2026-02-06T15:49:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1431918"},"modified":"2026-02-06T15:49:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:49:21","slug":"squawka-suggests-cristian-romero-replacements-spurs","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-suggests-cristian-romero-replacements-spurs\/","title":{"rendered":"Dream, realistic, wildcard, Squawka Suggests: The centre-backs who could replace Tottenham skipper Cristian Romero"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>\u201cThat\u2019s a question I have no idea about.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thomas Frank\u2019s reply when asked about Cristian Romero\u2019s future hardly instilled confidence. The Tottenham captain lashed out on Instagram on Monday night. The transfer window had closed and Spurs had signed just Conor Gallagher and Souza. This despite the raft of injuries plaguing the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDisgraceful\u201d was how Romero described the situation, and he has a point. Spurs are down to the bare bones. The club captain had to come off at the break against Manchester City last weekend as he struggled due to illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And while Romero put pen to paper on a new Spurs deal last summer, speculation over his future in north London is rife. Atletico Madrid were heavily linked with the 2022 World Cup winner last summer. They\u2019ll fancy their chances of landing the centre-back this time around.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2>SpreadEx Sign-Up Offer:\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>SpreadEx are offering new customers the chance to get \u00a360 in free bets when they join and place \u00a310 in qualifying bets.<\/p>\r\n<p>To claim this offer, follow these steps:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Create your account by clicking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/spreadex?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this link<\/a> or the image below.<\/li>\r\n<li>Register for your account by adding your details. It only takes a few minutes.<\/li>\r\n<li>Make your first deposit then place a \u00a310 single or \u00a310 each-way fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1\/2<\/li>\r\n<li>Get 3 x \u00a310 free fixed odds bets, 3 x \u00a35 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x \u00a35 Winning Favourites spread bets on consecutive days and a \u00a31 racing Race Index spread bet<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1393518\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-1024x523.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-1024x523.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-300x153.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-768x392.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-400x204.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-392x200.png 392w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-118x60.png 118w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-150x77.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-40x20.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86.png 1338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"bookmaker-review\">\r\n<div class=\"bookmaker-review__bet\">\r\n<div class=\"warning\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. Place a \u00a310 fixed odds single or \u00a310 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1\/2 and get 3 x \u00a310 free fixed odds bets, 3 x \u00a35 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x \u00a35 Winning Favourites spread bets and a \u00a31 racing Race Index spread bet. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, it\u2019ll take a significant offer to lure Romero away from north London in the summer. That\u2019s if Spurs are even open to the possibility of a sale. Frank may not even be manager at the end of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, we\u2019re preparing for Romero\u2019s exit. To quote Jack Reacher: \u201cHope for the best, plan for the worst.\u201d With that, we\u2019ve picked out a dream, realistic and wildcard suggestion Spurs could target should the skipper seek a move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Who should Spurs target to replace Romero?<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-dream-alessandro-bastoni\" data-level=\"3\">Dream: Alessandro Bastoni<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-realistic-jan-paul-van-hecke\" data-level=\"3\">Realistic: Jan Paul van Hecke<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-wildcard-marcos-senesi\" data-level=\"3\">Wildcard: Marcos Senesi<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-squawka-suggests-luka-vuskovic\" data-level=\"3\">Squawka Suggests: Luka Vuskovic<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dream-alessandro-bastoni\">Dream: Alessandro Bastoni<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cast your thoughts back to the summer of 2022. It was that summer Spurs signed Cristian Romero permanently. Richarlison also moved to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. So, too, did Yves Bissouma and Destiny Udogie. The board sought to assemble a title-challenging squad under Antonio Conte.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"NxW1Avndwpb2VXyBJSOBj\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One of those linked with a switch was Alessandro Bastoni. The Italian was high on the club\u2019s wishlist as they pursued a left-footed centre-back. The move failed to come to fruition, and eventually took Spurs to Micky van de Ven 12 months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Could Bastoni emerge as a serious target for Spurs once more? He isn\u2019t the same aggressive defender as Romero. Indeed, he ranks lower than Romero for a number of off-ball metrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, in possession, Bastoni is a distribution monster. Of course, the numbers are skewed. Inter and Spurs implement different playing styles, which benefit Bastoni on the ball, and Romero out of possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, Bastoni is an elite centre-back, and one that would deliver the star power to make up for Romero\u2019s exit. Conversely, this is a pipe dream. If Spurs are signing one Bastoni this summer, it\u2019ll be Cesena left-back Simone, and not Alessandro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-realistic-jan-paul-van-hecke\">Realistic: Jan Paul van Hecke<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another centre-back that has cropped up on Tottenham\u2019s radar. Jan Paul van Hecke has been a consistent figure in the Brighton defence since his arrival from Heerenveen in 2021. And his performances in a Seagulls shirt haven\u2019t gone unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"XpzOAONgmCXNhnPJ_SIac\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Spurs are reportedly keeping tabs on the Dutchman, who has been a nigh-on ever present for Fabian Hurzeler this season. Again, the 25-year-old is the better distributor, this despite Brighton only seeing marginally more of the ball than Spurs. Given Romero\u2019s importance in their build up play, Van Hecke would theoretically slot in well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Off-ball actions, Romero dwarfs Van Hecke for tackles per 90, but the latter boasts a better ground duel success rate and averages more clearances per 90. Spurs would have money to spend, even before the potential Romero sale. They\u2019d be able to cover the cost of Van Hecke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brighton would be reluctant to lose their prized centre-back. The Netherlands international does have a little over a year to run on his current Brighton contract, however. As painful as the sale may be, it could be their final chance to turn a profit on the Dutch defender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wildcard-marcos-senesi\">Wildcard: Marcos Senesi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Could Spurs replace one Argentine centre-back with another? While Marcos Senesi isn\u2019t the big name that supporters crave, the Bournemouth star has quietly excelled on the south coast this season.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"VUBl9NC7fo_hkv3_6gJm2\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season. The Cherries are desperate to retain his services but Senesi is unwilling to extend his stay at the Vitality Stadium. The former Feyenoord man\u2019s form has caught the eye of Chelsea and Liverpool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether the duo could offer Senesi regular game time, however, is another matter entirely. If Romero goes, then the likelihood is Senesi would immediately step in to bridge the gap. In some ways, it would be a like-for-like replacement. The Bournemouth star boasts that same aggressive streak and looks to instigate attacks from defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the Bournemouth leadership group, he\u2019s a leader at the back, and that would be key in Spurs\u2019 potential quest for a Romero successor. One to potentially keep an eye on, even if Spurs do retain their captain\u2019s services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-squawka-suggests-luka-vuskovic\">Squawka Suggests: Luka Vuskovic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In truth, Spurs already have a grasp on their long-term centre-back issues. The north London side agreed to sign Luka Vuskovic in 2023, though he was ineligible to move to Spurs until last summer. Since then, the 18-year-old has spent time with Radomiak Radom and Westerlo. He moved to German side Hamburg on loan last year and has proceeded to light up the Bundesliga.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"IDT-ugTdkM34TkXL6R0YF\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Some are suggesting that Vuskovic will leave Spurs before he even makes a senior appearance for the club. Bayern Munich are believed to be keeping tabs on Vuskovic, though it would take a monumental offer for the Premier League side to sell, even with their ongoing issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bayern icon Lothar Matthaus has lavished praise upon Vuskovic. Compatriot Ivan Rakitic has urged the teenager to move to the Allianz Arena. The centre-back\u2019s talent is the worst kept secret in football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Spurs and Vuskovic are rapidly approaching a key juncture. The Premier League side could make a huge profit on a player who has never played for them. Conversely, Vuskovic has shown he is more than ready for Premier League football. Even if Spurs don\u2019t sell Romero, the Croat should be brought back to north London this summer with a view to making him a key part of the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div 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class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Spain vs Belgium penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-belgium-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Belgium penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09133027\/france-vs-morocco-penalties-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"France vs Morocco penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs Morocco penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/norway-analysis-world-cup-tactics-break-english-hearts\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09091031\/ErlingHaaland09072026_ID3F02FX5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Norway analysis: How Erling Haaland and the Vikings could break English hearts\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/norway-analysis-world-cup-tactics-break-english-hearts\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Norway analysis: How Erling Haaland and the Vikings could break English hearts                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-stats-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09093642\/SYMS_FrancevsMorocco-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-stats-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs Morocco Stats: Mbappe chasing Messi, Deschamps\u2019 milestone &amp; Morocco\u2019s unbeaten run                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-jude-bellingham-england-star\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/08163453\/JudeBellingham050726_ID3F0D9HB-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Jude Bellingham analysis: Why England don&#039;t have to rely on Harry Kane\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-jude-bellingham-england-star\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Jude Bellingham analysis: Why England don&#8217;t have to rely on Harry Kane                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-quarter-finalsts-reliance-top-scorer\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/02190227\/feature_image-x-3-purple-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"World Cup quarter-finalist goalscorers\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-quarter-finalsts-reliance-top-scorer\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Every World Cup 2026 quarter-finalist ranked by reliance on their top goalscorer                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/alexander-isak-analysis-liverpool-andoni-iraola\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/08132341\/AlexanderIsak08072026_ID3EBB226-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/alexander-isak-analysis-liverpool-andoni-iraola\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Liverpool analysis: Why Andoni Iraola needs to avoid Darwin Nunez deja vu with Alexander Isak                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/sammcguire\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Sam McGuire                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-distance-travelled-08-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/01111019\/predictions_article-16x9-2026-07-01T111009.322-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-distance-travelled-08-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup 2026: Which nation will travel the furthest distance this summer?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-team-of-the-round-last-16\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/08001455\/LionelMessi07072026_ID3F0BY24ErlingHaaland08072026_ID3F03T33-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-team-of-the-round-last-16\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup 2026 Team of the Last-16: Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland star after dramatic round                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cThat\u2019s a question I have no idea about.\u201d Thomas Frank\u2019s reply when asked about Cristian Romero\u2019s future hardly instilled confidence. The Tottenham captain lashed out on Instagram on Monday night. The transfer window had closed and Spurs had signed just Conor Gallagher and Souza. This despite the raft of injuries plaguing the club. \u201cDisgraceful\u201d was&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1431919,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Cristian Romero\u2019s Tottenham future is uncertain. We analyse dream, realistic and wildcard centre-back replacements Spurs could target this summer","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1431918","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Dream, realistic, wildcard, Squawka Suggests: The centre-backs who could replace Tottenham skipper Cristian Romero | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cristian Romero\u2019s Tottenham future is uncertain. 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