Tottenham Hotspur have forked out on a private charter flight to bring Cristian Romero from Argentina back to London, to avoid another club vs country debacle. On Sunday, Tottenham host Aston Villa in their first Premier League clash after the international break.
Last season, the north Londoners found themselves at odds with the World Cup winners and Romero. After Argentina were beaten by Colombia in a World Cup qualifier in September last year, Tottenham chose not to fly Romero back on a charter flight. When Spurs lost to Arsenal, the defender insinuated the lack of a charter flight gave the Gunners the advantage, as their rival Brazilian stars got back to north London earlier as a result of a charter flight. Despite Tottenham insisting it would not have made a difference, they have opted to pay for a charter flight for Romero, which will bring him back after Argentina’s friendly with Puerto Rico in Miami.
The Telegraph claim Spurs have dipped into their coffers to ensure Romero can get back with plenty of time before Sunday’s clash against Villa. Usually, national teams are the ones responsible for scheduling flights, but English clubs often split the cost of a private charter when their journey back is especially long, as will be the case for Romero.
Last year, they chose not to pay for a charter flight, which resulted in Romero hitting out at their travel plans on social media. He reposted a social media post which said the Gunners had an advantage as their Brazilian stars Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were able to get back to the capital earlier than Romero.
Tottenham disputed this comment, stating that Thursday is always a day off for the players, while Arsenal often train on that day. However, as they did last September, the club spent the extra money on a flight for their skipper.
Romero’s international team-mate Emiliano Martinez will also be in goal for Aston Villa this Sunday. Tottenham paying for the flight will ensure there is no potential advantage for the Villans, who will have the shot-stopper between the sticks for them.
It also ensures Romero, who signed a new deal in the summer to become the club’s highest earner, will be kept happy. At present, he has little to be upset about at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Under Thomas Frank, Spurs have started brilliantly with four wins, two draws and a loss in their opening seven Premier League matches. They are only two points behind first-placed Arsenal and one off reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.
Romero provided the defensive fortifications in Spurs’ 3-0 away victory over West Ham United, which took place on the first weekend back after the last international break.
The club had forked out on a charter flight for that match also, with Romero and his international colleagues hosting Venezuela in the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires earlier that week.