Tottenham's Leadership Structure in Disarray as Romero Joins Atletico
Tottenham’s summer took a sharp turn on Saturday morning as Cristian Romero’s exit to Atletico Madrid was finally confirmed, leaving Roberto De Zerbi without his club captain on the eve of a new season.
Spurs announced that Romero has completed a £34.2million move to the Spanish side, ending a three-year spell in north London and forcing an immediate rethink of the leadership structure De Zerbi had only just put in place.
“We have reached agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Cristian Romero,” the club said in a statement. “Signed from Atalanta in 2021, ‘Cuti’ was a key player in our UEFA Europa League triumph of 2024/25 and was named captain for the 2025/26 campaign. His 32 appearances in all competitions last season took his tally to 156 in our colours. We wish Cuti all the best for the future.”
A cornerstone of the defence, a Europa League winner, and the man handed the armband for the coming campaign — gone before a competitive ball is kicked. De Zerbi now has to identify a new captain from a squad already bracing for more upheaval at the back.
Second defensive exit looming
Romero is unlikely to be the only defender walking out of Hotspur Way this weekend. A second departure is expected to be confirmed shortly, with Djed Spence closing in on a permanent move to Inter.
Spence was photographed in Milan earlier in the week ahead of a medical after the Serie A champions struck a deal worth around £25.6million. Italian outlet Gazzetta report that the full-back has passed those tests and signed a contract running until 2031. He is set to return briefly to London to complete work permit formalities before joining up with his new club.
Two defenders out, significant fees banked, and a manager suddenly short of experienced options at the back. The knock-on effect is obvious: Tottenham’s recruitment focus is about to swing upfield.
Attack in focus as Savinho chase continues
Once Spence’s move is rubber-stamped, Spurs are expected to accelerate plans to strengthen their frontline. Folarin Balogun, Cody Gakpo and Savinho have all been linked as potential attacking reinforcements, with the Brazilian winger a long-standing priority target throughout the summer window.
Savinho’s own situation added a small twist to the weekend narrative. He did not train with his team-mates on Thursday as they stepped up preparations for Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal in Cardiff, prompting questions over his availability and, inevitably, fresh speculation around his future.
The explanation, though, was more straightforward. Speaking at his pre-Arsenal press conference on Friday, City boss Enzo Maresca confirmed the 20-year-old had been unwell.
“Yesterday he was not part of the session,” Maresca said. “He was a bit ill. We'll see today, the session is in the afternoon, we'll see how it is and we'll decide.”
Illness, not transfer manoeuvring, kept Savinho away from training — at least officially. But with Tottenham known to be working on a deal and the winger high on their list of attacking options, his name will not drift far from the headlines while the window remains open.
Romero gone, Spence almost out, and an attack still under construction. De Zerbi’s first season in charge is already being reshaped by the market. The only question now is whether Spurs can turn this defensive exodus into the firepower they so clearly want.
