Postec coach Romero's three-month absence, resignation that I can't be involved in the national team's transfer
Mar 06, 2025
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Tottenham will play the first leg of the round of 16 of the Europa League (UEL) in the 2024-2025 season against AZ Alkmaar in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, on the afternoon of the 6th (local time). An official press conference was held a day before the match. At the meeting, Postecoglou was asked about Romero's transfer to the national team. Romero has been unable to play due to injuries. Romero's most recent appearance was against Chelsea on December 8 last year. He started at the time, but was replaced after 15 minutes due to injury. Romero then devoted himself to rehabilitation and only recently returned to team training. Although the injury gap has reached three months, the Argentine national team called Romero to the national team ahead of the A match in March.
In response, Postecoglou responded, `The club cannot be involved in the management of the national team"Even if the player is injured, the national team can call him at any time. It's none of our business." "I have been asked several times about the transfer of the national team, but there is no change in the fact that the club cannot control the transfer of players. What's the point (of making a position)?" he resigned.
◇Enzi Postecoglou's press conference (Source: Football London)
-Latest team news and players missing from the away list?
▶The only player who did not accompany him to the expedition is Dejan Klusevski. I got bruised on my foot, I don't know exactly when I got hurt, but the pain has gotten worse in recent weeks. Still, he endured through training and playing, but his condition did not improve, so he conducted additional tests. The exact diagnosis has not yet been made, but it will be difficult to return before the A-match break. It's not a serious injury, and it's not a situation that requires surgery. Ben Davies is almost in his return phase, but he is doing individual training with Hishalisson on the training ground.
-Can Romero, Van der Ben and Solanke start tomorrow?
▶I have to watch the training today. All three players have been sidelined for a long period of time, so the timing of their return must be carefully decided. However, we are currently training with the team, and we will make a final decision after seeing the training situation.
-What are your opinions on the Argentina national team's selection of Romero?
▶It's an interesting situation. I have been in the soccer world for 26 years and have experience as a coach of the national team. One thing that is clear is that the club cannot be involved in the management of the national team. It's strange that the question comes up every time even though everyone knows it. Even if the player is injured, the national team can call him at any time. So it's not a concern for us. Our goal is for Romero to regain his normal condition and revive his sense of play. If you're in good shape, playing in the game may be helpful. It's better than not playing any games for two weeks. I've been asked several times about getting the national team, but it remains the same that the club can't control the transfer of players.
-Wouldn't Romero's participation make his position on the national team?
▶What's the point of that?
-To protect the players.
▶Even so, my opinion cannot change the situation. After all, if Romero is healthy, it is also in our interest to play. It's because he hasn't played in a long time. The club cannot decide whether a player should go to the national team or not. It's been that way throughout my career, and it will remain the same.
-Is Van de Ben in full recovery?
The expression ▶'Totally' is ambiguous, but he's in training. Previously, I played half a game after my return, but I still felt something uncomfortable. So this time, I took a different approach. Now he is in very good shape and has trained normally for a week and a half. Now it's a matter of adjusting the timing of the return. Considering his appearance in training and how he feels, he will decide when to return. At the moment, he is very confident in training as well, and I'm sure he will play without any problems after his return.
-Yves Bissouma was spotted at a ski resort, did you give her a vacation?
▶What kind of question is that? Of course not. We were in training. He just went skiing? Are you kidding? Please ask me a better question.
-What do you think if he actually skied?
▶I don't worry about that. Players are adults, free human beings. There was a few days of rest, and what to do during that time is their choice. I just want them to make smart choices for themselves. I just want them to act in their place, and use their time in a way that helps them prepare for the game. Anyway, he is doing well without any problems.
-Do you think this tournament is a good fit for Tottenham?
I don't know exactly what you mean by the expression ▶'It fits well', but I definitely want to do well. We are in the round of 16, and we have to play two games against AZ. I haven't done well in the tournament in recent years, but I think the fact that I've reached the round of 16 in the European match itself has an opportunity. We have to see how far we can go.
-Have you become more convinced that your current team can go all the way in the tournament compared to the beginning of the season?
▶It's hard to be sure. Even at the beginning of the season, there were expectations for the team's condition. However, as a number of variables worked, it did not flow as expected.
In addition to the players' return, the overall training environment has also improved. Thanks to the rescheduling, the players were able to train and recover properly. A month ago we were struggling with serious injury problems, but in recent weeks we have been much better in training, recovery and preparation for the game.
-Mickey van der Ben and Christian Romero are coming back, isn't it burdensome that you don't have a chance to restore your sense of play against a relatively weak opponent?
▶I don't think so. I don't have the concept of 'low-intensity matches' in itself. Every game requires players to step up and do their best.
By my standards, training is the best preparation for the game. Our team trains with strong intensity and prepares for the game. So it's important that Romero, Solanke and Van der Ben have had normal training.
-Do the players seem determined to finish the second half of the season successfully?
▶Yes, the players are well aware that this is an important opportunity.
As the injured return, the preparation for the game is more systematic. The return of players like Victor, Brennan, Madison, Wilson and Destiny is energizing the team. They felt frustrated that they couldn't help the team after missing for a long time, and now they want to contribute for the team. Currently, the atmosphere of the team is strongly determined to finish the season well by supporting and helping each other.
-Will it be important to dampen the momentum of home fans in tomorrow's game?
▶Yes, it won't be an easy game. The opposition was very strong at home, and they were also good in the Galatasaray away game.
In tomorrow's game, we need to maintain our style of play without being swayed by the atmosphere of the home crowd. The most important thing is to take the results of the first away game as positively as possible. I have experience playing here in the Europa League when I was at Celtic. I know the opponent is a strong team, but we have to run the game our way and get the results we want.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
