Roberto DeZerbi issued a firm ultimatum during Tottenham’s preseason preparations, signaling he will no longer manage players who lack genuine affiliation with the club. Though framed publicly as a response to midfielder Lucas Bergvall’s transfer demands, insiders suggest the message is particularly directed at highly visible stars like captain Cristian “Cuti” Romero, whose move to Inter Milan is gaining momentum.
At a press conference in Auckland, New Zealand ahead of his team’s friendly against Auckland FC, De Zerbi reiterated his demands for accountability. “If you don’t want to be here, if you aren’t proud to wear this jersey every day, then leave” he stated. “We need players who fight for this badge,” he added, emphasizing that complacency—or public disengagement—is unacceptable.
Cristian Romero celebrates a goal for Tottenham. (Getty Images)
Romero’s potential Serie A return has been fueled by active negotiations with Inter Milan, which reportedly hold a completed three-year contract offering €5 million annually. According to Italian media SportMediaset, discussions with Tottenham’s hierarchy and Romero’s representatives are advancing, signaling a looming transaction. The defender’s alignment with Inter—a club where he previously played for Genoa and Atalanta—appears strategically and emotionally compelling.
Underlying Romero’s potential exit is a fractured relationship with Tottenham’s supporters. Tensions peaked when the Argentine defender traveled to Argentina to attend the Torneo Apertura final between his boyhood club Belgrano and River Plate—on the same day Tottenham battled relegation in the Premier League. The decision, critics argue, prioritized personal loyalty over club duty during a pivotal domestic match.