Cristian Romero’s future at Tottenham will be settled after the final match of the season, with Roberto De Zerbi confirming talks are delayed while Spurs chase survival. The club captain is under contract until the end of the 2026-27 campaign but remains linked with a summer exit.
Spurs are two games from ending their league schedule and need only one more point to be almost safe, thanks to a stronger goal difference than West Ham. Tottenham visit London rivals Chelsea on Tuesday, then finish their campaign at home against Everton.
The centre-back’s situation draws attention from major European clubs. Atletico Madrid are reported to be tracking Romero, while LaLiga champions Barcelona are also named as possible destinations. Despite this, De Zerbi
stressed that any major choice about Romero will only follow the final whistle against Everton.
Romero has been influential in defence for Spurs across all competitions. The Argentina international has contested the second-highest number of duels for the club this season, winning 193. Romero also ranks third for interceptions with 38, even though Romero has featured in only 32 matches, which is just the 15th-highest appearance total in the squad.
Romero’s aggressive style brings risk as well as value. Romero has conceded 42 fouls, the second-most for Spurs, behind only Randal Kolo Muani with 51. Romero has also collected a club-high two red cards, which shapes the wider assessment Tottenham must make over the long-term role.
De Zerbi made clear that discussions over Romero are paused while attention stays on Chelsea. "It is a good question, but it is the wrong timing," said De Zerbi. "First of all, now the focus is Chelsea. The second point is that Romero is a great player. The most important thing is the behaviour and how much the player wants to stay in this club. We have to take a decision after this season, after the Everton game. "
Tottenham travel to Stamford Bridge with mixed away form. Spurs have won their last two Premier League games on the road, their best sequence since a run of four between September and November 2020. However, Tottenham have managed just one victory in their last 35 league visits to Chelsea, drawing 11 and losing 23, with that win coming 3-1 under Mauricio Pochettino in April 2018.
As the season reaches its final week, Romero’s performances, statistics and discipline record all feed into a broader review for Tottenham. Survival, upcoming fixtures and the long record at Chelsea shape the immediate picture, while the club and De Zerbi prepare to decide whether Romero stays or moves after facing Everton.
Hear from Roberto De Zerbi ahead of our trip to face Chelsea pic.twitter.com/DBYp50JB4oTottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 18, 2026
