Tottenham: Roberto De Zerbi issues captain search update after Cristian Romero blow | OneFootball

Italian facing big decision as candidates line up to take the armband

Roberto De Zerbi has called on every member of his squad to act like a captain after Cristian Romero was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

Speaking on Friday, De Zerbi confirmed that Romero would miss the rest of the campaign, while praising the Argentine defender’s leadership qualities.

“Romero, I’m really sorry for him, for his injury. Romero, first of all, loves Tottenham, and the people have to know he is suffering for this injury,” De Zerbi said.

Without his captain until the end of the season, De Zerbi must now pick Romero’s replacement, though he is yet to make up his mind.

“I didn't decide yet because I have had other, more important problems to find a solution,” De Zerbi continued.

“But I would like all players to be a captain, especially in this moment, it's not important if you play in the first eleven, if you play 30 minutes or 90 minutes or you can't play, we have to feel the responsibility of this situation.

Vice-captain Micky van de Ven is the obvious candidate to step up, but his performances this season, particularly when assuming leadership responsibility, have been disappointing this season.

He was sent off for a reckless challenge on Ismaila Sarr after donning the armband against Manchester United in March and later oversaw defeats by Newcastle, Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace, conceding 11 goals, as Romero served a four-game suspension.

De Zerbi admitted he wanted to see better leadership from the Dutchman when asked if he felt James Maddison could step up as a leader in the final throes of the season.

“To be a stronger team we need many, many leaders, for sure Maddison is different.

“Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball, but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch, but I would like to reach this level for Micky van de Ven.

“For example, Bentancur is a leader, Palhinha is another leader, I would like to push with Solanke, because Solanke is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, and I want him stronger as a personality, as a character on the pitch.

“But also Xavi Simons is very young, but he's a leader with the ball because he has personality, he has the right character to receive the ball when the ball is hot, because it's not so easy playing this moment for us, but we need players with personality and character, otherwise they don't play with me.”