by Ange Postecoglou hopes Cristian Romero is almost over the toe and hamstring problems which have hampered the Argentine in recent weeks, but says Tottenham will give the defender time to return to 100 per cent fitness.
Romero, who this week became a father for the second time, will miss Spurs’ visit to Manchester City on Saturday as he continues to recover from a toe injury and hamstring strain.
He was sent off in the second halves of wins over City in the Carabao Cup and Aston Villa, before being replaced at half-time in Argentina’s match against Paraguay last week.
Spurs will also be without Micky van de Ven this weekend, leaving Postecoglou without his first-choice centre-backs at the Etihad Stadium for the second year running, but the head coach said the club would prefer to allow Romero to get back into full shape rather than taking risks. him against City.
“With us, he hasn’t been in great shape for probably two or three weeks,” Postecoglou said. “He kind of persevered because he’s the kind of character [he is] …and we kind of needed him, but I think when he left, he kind of realized that it’s not healing the way we want it to.
“It’s a couple of separate issues. And I talked to him and said, ‘Look, take a break. We need you to be 100% fit.’ As much as we would love to have him there, I think it’s best for him if he makes a full recovery. He also had the birth of his daughter this week, which is also a big event in his life. life.
“I think it’s important for him to take a break and spend time with his family. I think it’s the right thing for him to do.
“One of them was obviously the toe hit which was a bit bothersome and before that he had a bit of a tight hamstring,” Postecoglou added.
“It wasn’t a hamstring injury, but he was tight. So we’re being careful with him. He’s over both a little bit now. But we’re just going to wait, rather than sending him back this weekend. He also had the birth of his daughter, I felt like we were going to take this time to have her 100 percent.”
Romero missed Argentina’s win over Peru on Wednesday after losing to Paraguay and Postecoglou admitted he had doubts about flying the 26-year-old to South America for international duty, while insisting that he did not return in a worse state.
“Yeah, you do [have concerns]”, Postecoglou said. “But there is always a limit, especially with someone like Romero where you also have to trust his judgment. He understands the responsibility that falls on him.
“Look, he didn’t make things worse. He just didn’t feel like he could play at the level he wanted to, which is why he came off at halftime. On the contrary, when he came back, it’s actually improved.
“So it didn’t make the situation worse for him.” I just think he needs to improve his body so he can be at his best.”
Postecoglou, meanwhile, welcomed Pep Guardiola’s decision to extend his contract as Manchester City coach for two more seasons.
The Catalan, whose previous contract expired at the end of this season, has led City to the title in six of the last seven seasons, but Postecoglou says he is motivated by the challenge of finishing ahead of him.
Asked if any part of him wished Guardiola would step down to open the league, Postecoglou replied: “I see things another way.
“I say, ‘Imagine if you brought him down’. That would be something. I’m at the stage in my life where I’d rather have the chance to bring him down than miss that opportunity. When greatness is there, you want to be by his side. And I hope it challenges you to be like that, too.
“It’s a big challenge. But I like the fact that there is a huge goal that can seem insurmountable. It raises my level and keeps me moving forward.
“I’ve experienced equalization in sport in Australia and it’s great from a competitive point of view because everyone believes they can win.
“But after a while I got frustrated because excellence tends to be capped at a certain point. It’s up to everyone to close that gap. [to City]. I love this challenge and would never consider it a bad thing. »
