"I'll do whatever it takes."
Christian Romero (28, Tottenham) said that before the match. He said he would do anything to lift Tottenham Hotspur out of the relegation zone. A few hours later, he left the stadium in tears. Perhaps this scene might sum up Tottenham's entire 2025-2026 season.
Tottenham lost 0-1 to Sunderland in the 32nd-round away Premier League match at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, on the 12th (Korea time). It was the first match since Roberto De Zerbi took charge. Nothing changed. Tottenham remained 18th and failed to climb out of the relegation zone.
Until before the match, Romero was more determined than anyone. He bowed to the fans through Britain's Sky Sports.
Romero said, "I can only say thank you to the fans. Whatever the situation, the fans are always by our side. Players and managers change, but the fans remain," and added, "I feel great affection for this club and its fans."
He continued, "This season has been difficult for everyone. In times like this we must stick together. I will do whatever it takes to get out of this situation," he emphasized.
He did not hide his frustration with reality. He said, "Tottenham should at least be a team that competes. I'm not talking about winning the title right now. At least they should be a team fighting for the top of the league and European competition," and added, "The most important thing now is to get out of this bad reality. We have to hold on for the remaining two months."
Those words ended up ringing hollow.
Tottenham were listless throughout the match. In the 61st minute, Nordi Mukiele's shot deflected off Micky van de Ven and was swallowed into the net. It was unlucky. The problem was what followed. Tottenham showed no reaction after conceding. Although promotion out of the relegation zone was at stake, they did not even show desperation.
A bigger problem came in the 65th minute. Romero collided head-on with goalkeeper Antonin Kinský while blocking Brian Brobbey. Brobbey shoved Romero in, and Romero and Kinský crashed into each other.
The match was stopped for nearly eight minutes. Kinský got up with a bandage on his head. Romero did not. He could no longer play. He went to the bench with his face covered, crying. Teammates approached to comfort him, but Romero never lifted his head.
Britain's BBC said, "Romero's tears could become the symbol of Tottenham's season." It went on to say, "Tottenham must now consider not 'is this team too good to be relegated' but 'is this team too poor to stay up'?"
In fact, Tottenham have not won in 14 league matches since the Crystal Palace match on Dec. 28 last year. Only six matches remain. They are two points behind 17th-place West Ham. The numbers make it look close. Based on current form, it feels too far.
The BBC was also cold toward De Zerbi. It said that the tactician who built his reputation at Brighton and Marseille must become a psychologist rather than a manager at Tottenham. It means the players are already crushed by fear of relegation.
De Zerbi himself acknowledged it. After the match he said, "My job now is not to teach a style. This is not the time to talk about when we have the ball and when we don't. I have to revive the players' mental state."
He added, "Players do well in training. When their heads are clear they play confidently. But they change completely when it's a match. What I have to do is make them do in matches what they show in training."
There was controversy over Romero's tears. Former England national team goalkeeper Ben Foster pointed out on BBC's Match of the Day that "Romero is one of the few combative players on this team. Seeing such a player leave in tears can send the wrong message to the team."
He said, "If he's the captain he should hold his teammates and tell them to fight until the end. There were still 25 minutes left. Tears send the wrong signal."
Those words may be harsh from Tottenham's perspective. Romero tried to hold on until the end, and he showed responsibility more than anyone before the match. He was the player who said, "I'll do whatever it takes." Yet Tottenham failed to protect him.
Tottenham meet Brighton on the 18th. Coincidentally, it is De Zerbi's former club. The BBC forecasted, "If nothing changes there either, De Zerbi may have to start rebuilding not in the Premier League but in the Championship."
Relegation zone. Tears. Injury. And 14 matches without a win. The words that describe Tottenham's season are accumulating.
[OSEN]