Thomas Frank defends ‘very passionate’ Cristian Romero after Tottenham ‘liability’ claims

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Thomas Frank has leapt to the defence of Cristian Romero following his red card against Liverpool and has revealed what he spoke to the Tottenham captain about.

Romero has been labelled a liability for Tottenham by some journalists and pundits after his latest red card.

Some have even questioned Romero’s captaincy credentials after the Argentine got his second yellow card for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate, which meant that Tottenham were reduced to nine men.

The Spurs captain has received more yellow cards than any other player in the Premier League this season, but the Tottenham boss is not worried about the Argentine’s temperament.

Thomas Frank says Cristian Romero carries Tottenham on his back

The Tottenham boss has admitted that not just Romero, but all of his players need to keep a cool head during the game.

However, the Dane defended his captain, pointing out that his tendency to get carried away on occasions is down to his passion for the club.

When asked if he had a conversation with Romero about the need for him to lead by example, Frank responded (via Football.London): “Many times and after this game, and not because it’s Cuti, I speak to the players in general, as I said. I know we can put that label on when it’s a captain.

“For me, all the players need to have a cool head and lead by example. You cannot have only one leader on the pitch. I know he’s the one with the armband. So that’s one thing.

“We’re talking about a player, a very passionate player, who, when he is at his absolute top, he carries the team on his back, like he did in the Europa League final. Without him, we wouldn’t have won the trophy, like he did away to Newcastle, like he’s done many times.

“When you’re very passionate, sometimes you can maybe, in a few moments, lack the extra coolness. Sometimes, maybe. Something he’s working on.”

Frank reveals Romero accepts his error against Liverpool

The Tottenham head coach suggested that the 27-year-old had every right to feel aggrieved that Liverpool’s second goal was allowed to stand.

However, Frank revealed that Romero accepts that he made a mistake by reacting the way he did in stoppage time to Konata’s challenge.

The 52-year-old added: “I think you have a player where the second goal for me still is a clear, clear, clear foul. And, OK, I haven’t played on the highest level. Everyone who played on the highest level, if they know there’s a foul, they know it’s a foul. And they’re very, very reactive. It’s a clear foul. So he felt hard done by.

“So the mistake he did there was he was running, unfortunately, touching John Brooks. That means he, when he touched the ref, you know, unfortunately, you need to have a yellow. But let’s say it was a foul given. Don’t give the first yellow. You don’t get the second yellow.

“The second yellow is a mistake, obviously, from Cuti, which he’s agreeing on. But before that, he was the one who competed, like, very passionate for the first corner. Competed on that duel. And the second duel, when we scored to make it 2-1. So you need to accept that if you have passionate players, that, you know, it’s part of it.”