Three ways Tottenham could line up without Cristian Romero against Newcastle | OneFootball

Spurs without captain for four games after red card at Manchester United

Spurs will now be without Romero for their next four Premier League games against Newcastle, Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Romero’s ban comes at a time when Spurs are without Kevin Danso due to injury and also facing a full-back crisis.

Here are three ways Spurs could line up in defence against Newcastle…

Back three with Palhinha and Dragusin

Despite Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to United, Frank has seen an upturn in performances since deploying a 3-4-3 formation in recent weeks.

At Old Trafford, Spurs mainly operated with a more traditional 4-3-3, with Joao Palhinha playing in midfield alongside Conor Gallagher and Pape Matar Sarr.

Joao Palhinha has been used at centre-back in recent weeks

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But the potential return of right-back Djed Spence, who was touch-and-go to be involved against United due to a calf injury, means Spurs can play more expansively out wide.

On the opposite flank, Brazilian left-back Souza showed a willingness to drive forward with the ball as he replaced Udogie for his Premier League debut at Old Trafford.

With Spence and Souza providing width and Romero suspended, Palhinha could be used in the auxiliary centre-back role where he has impressed with his ability to defend aggressively in the channels and play forward in possession.

A wing-back formation could also help stifle

Newcastle, who like to get their crosses in early, and channel most of their attacking play out wide.

Possible Spurs XI (3-4-3): Vicario; Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Spence, Sarr, Gallagher, Souza; Odobert, Solanke, Simons

Van de Ven and Dragusin in a back four

Romero’s suspension means there is likely to be a rare start for the centre-back pairing of Van de Ven and Dragusin against Newcastle.

Van de Ven and Dragusin have not started together for Spurs since October 2024 and have not started alongside eachother at centre-back since September 2024.

Radu Dragusin could make his first stat since returning from injury

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The pair showed a good understanding against United and Frank will hope he can rely on them to deal with the very different threats of Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade.

Should Spence fail a fitness test, Archie Gray will be expected to continue at right-back.

Gray has built a reputation for his ability to play across the backline as well as in midfield, and he delivered a mature performance in difficult circumstances from right-back against United.

Despite playing out of position, Gray was assertive in his duels and confident with the ball under pressure.

Alongside Micky van de Ven and Radu Drgausin, Gray helped ensure the game did not get away from Spurs as they frustrated United for large periods before Bruno Fernandes made the game safe late on.

Possible Spurs XI (4-3-3): Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Souza; Palhinha, Gallagher, Sarr; Odobert, Solanke, Simons

A first Premier League start for Ju’nai Byfield

One player who has benefited from Spurs’ spate of defensive injuries is academy graduate Ju’nai Byfield.

The 17-year-old made his senior debut as Spurs beat 10-man Borussia Dortmund and has since gone on to feature off the bench against Frankfurt and Manchester City.

Ju’nai Byfield would be a left-field option

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A raw talent, but one who has clearly earned the trust of Frank, Byfield could be in line to capitalise on Romero’s latest dismissal.

Frank’s willingness to deploy three centre-backs in recent weeks, has afforded the young centre-back more opportunities but also more protection as he adapts to senior football.

It is telling that the majority of Byfield’s minutes have come in the Champions League, where Spurs have enjoyed more control in and out of possession.

But with potentially only two senior centre-backs, Van de Ven and Dragusin, fit and available against Newcastle, Byfield could be thrown in for his first start in a Spurs shirt.

Van de Ven and Dragusin will be able to guide Byfield through the game, and with Frank at the very edge of his resources, trusting Byfield could be an easy win to try to get supporters on side.

Possible Spurs XI (3-4-3): Vicario; Byfield, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Spence, Palhinha, Gallagher, Souza; Odobert, Solanke, Simons