The January transfer window was a relatively busy one for Tottenham Hotspur. Eight Premier League sides welcomed no new recruits at all, but the fanbase still have a sour taste after recent events.
Thomas Frank remains in charge despite a leadership review in January, but the Danish coach is not popular with supporters after months of stale football, two wins from 15 league fixtures.
It’s not good enough, and winning the Champions League is not only the only shot left at silverware but Spurs’ tenuous hope of playing on the continent next year, should they not overcome their lowly Premier League form.
However, the issues are mounting for ENIC Group, with club captain Cristian Romero showing something of a mutinous streak of late.
The latest on Romero’s Spurs future
Romero, 27, is one of the best centre-backs in the world, but there’s no question he’s scarcely competed in a consistent, high-performing defence for some time now.
He would tell you that Spurs’ recruitment strategy has left a lot to be desired, and is indeed the crux of a decline over the past several years.
Of course, this is a hypothesis, but the Argentine may well choose against signing for Spurs, were he given the chance to go back and redirect his career path. His love for the club is unquestionable, but he’s been at the centre of many outbursts, and there’s no question that he’s frustrated with the ownership.
Defensively, Spurs have been a mess for over two years now. But Romero remains one of the most talented centre-backs in the world, a leader who would do well for any number of elite outfits across the continent.
The fanbase’s concerns that he will push for a transfer this summer won’t have been mollified by this recent statement, but Tottenham will at least take solace in the fact he’s contracted until 2029, and thus suitors will need to pay a pretty penny.
He’s one of the most valuable north Londoners, but there’s actually a more valuable Lilywhites talent who will ease the club’s dismay if Romero does leave.
The Spurs star worth even more than Cristian Romero
Romero has been linked with a move away – notably, Spanish sides are gearing up for a summer bid, according to reports. How much would Tottenham bank for their captain? It’s impossible to say at this stage, though recent rumours revealing interest from Barcelona suggest that bids would fall into the ballpark of £80m.
To lose Romero would be a blow, but at least Frank still has Micky van de Ven at his disposal, the Dutch defender arguably boasting an even bigger stock than his skipper beside him.
Van de Ven is not untouchable himself, with his powerful and athletic performances in defence leading to interest from the likes of Liverpool, who were beaten in the race for the Wolfsburg talent in 2023, Tottenham landing their man for a £43m fee.
But even ENIC Group surely wouldn’t cash in on both Van de Ven and Romero in one window. These are the two pillars of a struggling Spurs side, the last bastions against a deterioration that might go beyond the pale.
That is to say, Tottenham’s centre-halves are their finest two players; certainly, Van de Ven and Romero are the most influential, not just unique and fearsome defenders but dimension-adders in attack too. Van de Ven has even been hailed as a “monster” by football reporter Elliot Jackson for his pace and power when carrying the ball forward.
And this is a Tottenham side who leave so much to be desired in the final third, bereft of creativity and lacking confidence.
While Frank’s side have been unable to establish strong form, Romero and Van de Ven still put in impressive performances that are reflected through their metrics across the campaign.
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Van de Ven vs Romero – Premier League 25/26 |
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|---|---|---|
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Match Stats (* per 90) |
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Matches (starts) |
22 (22) |
20 (19) |
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Goals + Assists |
4 + 1 |
4 + 1 |
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Clean sheets |
6 |
4 |
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Touches* |
64.3 |
64.8 |
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Accurate passes* |
48.0 (89%) |
44.3 (87%) |
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Chances created* |
0.2 |
0.5 |
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Recoveries* |
3.5 |
3.9 |
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Tackles + interceptions* |
2.1 |
4.0 |
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Clearances* |
4.0 |
4.2 |
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Ground duels* |
2.0 (61%) |
3.6 (62%) |
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Aerial duels* |
1.3 (42%) |
3.2 (71%) |
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Errors made |
2x |
3x |
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Data via Sofascore |
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Eight goals between them, that’s approximately 23% of Tottenham’s output in the Premier League this year.
Romero might edge his Netherlands counterpart in terms of statistics, but Van de Ven, 24, has the higher stock. Liverpool are in for the one-of-a-kind talent once again, but he will not come cheap.
Indeed, Tottenham would be seeking a staggering £100m fee for Van de Ven, which would be a world-record fee.
If we’re plain for a moment, it doesn’t seem that likely that Spurs will play their football next season with Van de Ven and Romero as the central partnership.
But Van de Ven is arguably the better of the two, the more talented and with the higher ceiling. Spurs cannot allow their defensive linchpin to leave.
Their best signing since Van de Ven: Spurs star is becoming Frank’s own Rice
Tottenham have hit the jackpot on this talented player.
