‘My advice’… Ange Postecoglou reacts after hearing Cristian Romero wants to play at the summer Olympics

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has reacted to claims Cristian Romero could miss pre-season.

Spurs are now gearing up for a huge final 10 games in the Premier League as Champions League football remains their target.

Ange Postecoglou has built a solid squad of players who he can rely upon, none more so than centre-back Cristian Romero.

However, the Argentine’s patriotism may now lead him into missing the entirety of the Tottenham’s pre-season in the summer.

What Postecoglou said about Romero going to the Olympics

Speaking on the back of the latest international break, the 25-year-old has revealed he would be open to playing in this summer’s Olympics.

Speaking to Argentine media, he said: “I would like to be in the Olympic Games. I never had the chance to be there. Anything for the national team, obviously I would like to be there. If [Javier] Mascherano wants to take me, I am available.”

Romero played 163 minutes of football across the two games for Argentina over the last week.

He has now returned to Hotspur Way ahead of the game on the weekend at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Luton Town.

However, his manager did not sound too keen on the idea of Romero playing in the Olympics this summer which will be held in Paris, France.

The Australian said on Friday: “Yeah, look with all those things, the Olympics is a little bit of a different issue because clubs aren’t obliged to release players. Certainly as a club we’ll make sure there is a balance there. My advice would be with the Copa America and hopefully us gearing up for a big season, rest would be the better policy.”

How many games would Cristian Romero miss playing at the Olympics?

Losing Romero to the Olympics could be a big blow for Spurs over the summer as Postecoglou looks to continue his development of the squad.

Of course, Romero will know what is expected of him when he returns to Spurs.

However, as the vice-captain, it is apparent he is a player who has a huge influence on the dressing room so his absence would be felt.

Winger Timo Werner has already revealed how the Argentine sets the example in training with his aggression at Hotspur Way.

Romero is already representing his nation at the Copa America this summer as they aim to defend their crown.

But featuring at the Olympics could see him cut it very fine before returning for the start of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

The Olympics is scheduled to finish on Sunday 11 August – less than a week before the start of the new term.

It is apparent Postecoglou is against the idea, but if Romero does go to the summer tournament, then it will be interesting to see how that may affect his spot in the starting XI for the new season.