adminWhether by chance or design, Tottenham Hotspur have rediscovered their rhythm under Roberto De Zerbi, just as captain Cristian Romero has been sidelined, forced to watch from the bench.
Romero has been out since colliding with Antonin Kinsky against Sunderland—an incident that curiously saw Brian Brobbey escape punishment.
Yet the World Cup winner hasn’t been greatly missed, with Spurs picking up seven points from their last three Premier League matches.
At his best, Romero is a defensive titan—evident in last season’s Europa League final victory. However, during the 2025/26 campaign, he has frustratingly drifted into liability territory, often drawing unwanted attention for his on- and off-field behavior.
With a potential summer exit looming, fueled by interest from Atlético Madrid, the 27-year-old may have played his final game in North London, prompting the need for a long-term captaincy replacement.
Who could replace Romero as Spurs captain?
In Romero’s absence, centre-back partner Micky van de Ven has taken the armband for the last three matches, signaling his rising stature at N17.
That said, the Dutchman has faced his own struggles this season—including a red card against Crystal Palace—while rumors of a move to rivals Liverpool persist.
If Van de Ven also departs, De Zerbi may need an alternative for next season, especially given the squad’s relative youth and lack of standout leadership candidates.
Rodrigo Bentancur, returning from injury, should focus on regaining fitness before taking on added responsibility. Similarly, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski face their own uncertainties.
Long-term absentee Ben Davies is out of contract this summer. And while De Zerbi has praised Archie Gray as a “future captain,” the 20-year-old Englishman is not currently a regular starter. Gray may grow into the role over time, but a more immediate option could lie elsewhere.
Spurs’ answer to Declan Rice could be the next captain
Following Spurs’ win over Atlético Madrid (under Igor Tudor), The Athletic’s Duncan Alexander remarked that Gray looked like a “young Declan Rice.” Yet Gray’s influence has waned in recent weeks, with João Palhinha emerging as a new midfield force.
Doubts over Palhinha’s fit with De Zerbi’s progressive style have been dispelled by the 30-year-old’s talismanic displays.
He netted a close-range winner against Wolves—Spurs’ first victory of 2026—and delivered a dominant performance at Villa Park, earning praise as a “leader” from journalist Henry Winter.
Once tipped to succeed Rice at West Ham, the on-loan Bayern Munich man fits the mould of a towering midfield powerhouse and defensive anchor.
Against Aston Villa, he won four of six ground duels, lost possession only seven times, and recorded a 90% pass accuracy rate—bringing calm to a chaotic N17 season. His ball-winning ability sets him apart: he averages 3.3 tackles per Premier League game, the most in the division.
He has also scored four league goals—matching Rice at Arsenal—and like Rice, is a formidable barrier in front of the back four, dribbled past just 0.7 and 0.4 times per game respectively.
Just as Mauricio Pochettino had Mousa Dembélé and Mikel Arteta has Rice, every top-flight side needs a commanding physical presence in midfield. Palhinha looks set to become De Zerbi’s centerpiece.
The former Marseille boss has already floated the idea of making the ex-Sporting CP star’s loan permanent this summer via a reported £21.5 million buy option, emphasizing the need for “reliable” players.
As Winter noted, Palhinha is emerging as a leader right now. If he stays beyond this season, the captain’s armband could well be his for the taking.
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