Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that Tottenham’s showdown with Everton carries even greater importance than last season’s Europa League final — and given the circumstances, it is not hard to see why.

The Lilywhites head into Sunday’s clash fighting for their Premier League survival, with the club facing the very real possibility of relegation from the top flight for the first time in almost 50 years. Spurs need at least a point to avoid disaster.

James Maddison has already promised supporters that the squad will leave everything on the pitch for the badge this weekend, but one experienced Tottenham figure will be watching events unfold from more than 7,000 miles away.

Cristian Romero set to miss Tottenham’s crunch clash with Everton
The Tottenham captain was absent from Stamford Bridge on Tuesday after travelling back to Argentina before the match.

According to journalist Tim Vickery on talkSPORT, the 28-year-old made the journey to support his boyhood side Belgrano in their league final against River Plate on Sunday.

As a result, Romero — who is currently sidelined with injury — will not be present at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to support his teammates in what could prove to be one of the most important matches in the club’s modern history.

Romero’s actions likely to fuel exit speculation
Some may argue that the centre-back believed Tottenham’s relegation worries had eased after West Ham’s defeat to Newcastle last week.

Even so, the optics surrounding Romero’s decision are unlikely to go down well with supporters, especially after his commitment to the club has been questioned repeatedly throughout the season.

Speculation over the Argentine’s future continues to grow, with multiple reports suggesting he is expected to leave Spurs this summer. His latest actions will only strengthen the feeling among fans that Romero may have already decided his future lies away from North London.