Roberto De Zerbi says Tottenham fans are right to be angry over Cristian Romero absence

• Roberto De Zerbi admits Tottenham supporters are justified in their frustration
• Cristian Romero has travelled to Argentina during Spurs’ relegation battle
• Tottenham face Everton on Sunday needing a result to guarantee survival

Roberto De Zerbi says he “100%” understands the anger of Tottenham Hotspur FC supporters after injured captain Cristian Romero travelled to Argentina ahead of the club’s crucial final-day relegation showdown against Everton FC.

Spurs head into Sunday’s match knowing defeat, combined with a West Ham United FC victory over Leeds United FC, could see the north London club relegated from the Premier League for the first time in 49 years.

Romero’s absence has caused outrage among sections of the fanbase after the defender returned to his homeland to continue rehabilitation from a knee injury ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

De Zerbi confirmed on Friday that the decision had been agreed with medical staff, although he admitted he understood the reaction from supporters.

“100%, I understand,” De Zerbi said.

“He spoke with the medical staff and together they decided to go to Argentina to complete the rehab with Argentinian medical staff.”

The Tottenham head coach also defended Romero’s professionalism during his time working with him at the club.

“I want to be clear, I am not stupid,” De Zerbi added.

“If I understand there is any player who thinks for himself before the club, I can’t be the same Roberto, but with Cuti Romero, I can’t say anything because with me, in my time, he has been correct from the beginning until now.”

Still, the optics of the situation have only intensified frustration around the club, especially with Romero’s boyhood side Club Atlético Belgrano involved in a title decider against Club Atlético River Plate on the same day Spurs fight for survival.

De Zerbi attempted to keep the focus on Sunday’s decisive fixture but appeared to make a subtle comparison between Romero and long-serving defender Ben Davies.

“Not all leaders are the same,” he said.

“Ben Davies spoke with me and he asked to stay today to work with us and tomorrow we sleep in the Lodge [at the training ground], and he wants to stay with the team, with his teammates.

“But Romero is preparing [for] the World Cup, he has an injury and for me nothing changed.”

The Italian coach admitted uncertainty remains over Romero’s future at Tottenham despite the defender only signing a new contract last August.

“I don’t know,” De Zerbi said when asked if Romero had already played his final game for Spurs.

“I think Cristian is a top player and with me he was a top guy. And when I say top guy, it’s because I’m sure of what I’m saying. For the future, I don’t know.”

Tottenham have at least received a boost ahead of Sunday’s game with Dominic Solanke fit again after injury, while Djed Spence is also available despite suffering a fractured jaw during the defeat to Chelsea FC earlier this week.

“Solanke is available,” De Zerbi confirmed.

“We have to decide if he starts in the first XI or not.”

For Tottenham, though, the focus is now entirely on survival.

After one of the club’s worst Premier League campaigns in decades, everything comes down to one final afternoon in north London.