Graham

Watch our superb World Cup winning centre half battling to save the game …

Romero is held up by some as our saviour. Even labelled world class. And yes, he has popped up with the odd semi important goal, so credit where it’s due. But defending is his primary job, and that’s where the argument falls apart. If he actually did his defensive duties properly, consistently and intelligently, then maybe we could talk about him being one of the best centre backs in the world. The reality is we all watch him every week. We see the rash decisions, the positional lapses, the unnecessary chaos. Truly world class defenders don’t come with that level of volatility. They bring calm, control and reliability. They make the players around them better. Too often, he does the opposite. Winning a World Cup also does not automatically make you world class. It’s a team achievement, shaped by systems, protection and moments. Plenty of good players have medals. Very few are genuinely elite over week after week of club football. You don’t get that status on reputation or international tournaments alone. And there’s another uncomfortable truth. If Romero genuinely was one of the very best defenders in the world, he wouldn’t still be at Spurs. He would already be leading the back line of a club consistently competing for the biggest honours, not being talked up as a saviour in a team that regularly concedes soft goals. He’s a good player. On his day, even a very good one. But world class defenders are defined by consistency, discipline and control. Until he delivers those traits week in, week out, that label simply doesn’t fit.

A message from our captain to you…