Category Sports News

Captain Cristian Romero says it was “disgraceful” Tottenham had just 11 senior players available for Sunday’s 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City.

Spurs have lost nine players to injury in 2026, sold last season’s top scorer Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace and only brought in two senior signings in the January window.

It is the second time in recent weeks Romero has spoken out on social media, writing in a now-altered post in January that members of the club’s hierarchy “only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies”.

He previously criticised the club’s transfer policy in December 2024, telling Spanish broadcaster Telemundo Deportes that their lack of spending was causing them to fall behind their rivals.

“Great effort from all my team-mates yesterday, they were incredible,” Romero, who had to withdraw with an illness during the 2-2 stalemate, wrote in a post on Instagram on Monday.

“I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available – unbelievable but true and disgraceful.

“We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans.”

Spurs signed Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and 19-year-old Brazilian defender Souza from Santos in the January window.

They added 18-year-old Hearts forward James Wilson on loan on transfer deadline day, but he will be part of their under-21s squad.

In response to Romero’s post last month, manager Thomas Frank said the 27-year-old Argentina centre-back should keep some things “internal”.

Tottenham wanted to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo in January but he joined Manchester City instead, with Frank saying on Friday the club “did everything” they could.

“The fans just want the best for the club, just like I, the owners, the staff, the players. Everyone wants the best for the club,” added the Dane.

“But the transfer window is not Football Manager, unfortunately. It is not. It would be a lot easier, but also a little bit more boring.”

Romero has frequently attracted attention with his outspoken social media posts and interviews.

In September 2024, he reposted a social media message from an Argentine journalist that criticised Tottenham for not arranging private travel to bring players back from international duty.

In June 2025, he posted a cryptic message in support of outgoing manager Ange Postecoglou, referencing the “many obstacles” the Australian faced during his tenure.

Last summer, he was heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid and told Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports he would “love” to play in La Liga.

But after signing a new four-year contract with Tottenham and being named club captain by Frank, he said he was “very happy” at the club and had “never said I wanted to leave”.

Everton have signed Chelsea winger Tyrique George on loan for the rest of the season, with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.

George was understood to have attracted interest from another Premier League club and one in Europe.

The 19-year-old is a graduate of Chelsea’s academy and has scored six goals in 37 appearances for the senior side.

“The fans here are exceptional. I know Evertonians are really passionate. They like hard work – and that’s what I’m going to show,” George said.

“The gaffer, David Moyes, was another reason [I wanted to join]. He’s an amazing manager who has coached so many players, like Wayne Rooney, and players like that. I’ve had a brief conversation with him and he’s an amazing person as well.

“I just want to enjoy it, learn under him and improve.”

George joins after Moyes said Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish “probably” needs surgery on a fractured foot and is set to be “out for the season”.

Skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender will miss out on her sixth Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport said it does not have jurisdiction to change the result of a race that could have helped her qualify for the Milan-Cortina Games.

The American slider asked Cas to award her ranking points from a race last month after Canada withdrew four athletes from the North American Cup at Lake Placid.

Uhlaender claimed it cost her a spot at the Games as it cut the field to fewer than 21, reducing the number of ranking points available for her to qualify.

She appealed to Cas against Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, Canadian coach Joe Cecchini and the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF).

Uhlaender, 41, a double world champion in 2012, requested full ranking points be awarded for the race and asked if the decision to withdraw the Canadian athletes was “in violation of the Olympic Movement Code on the prevention of the manipulation of competitions”.

It means that the race on the 11 January, and the subsequent judgement by the IBSF on 23 January that cleared Canada of wrongdoing, took place before the 27 January cut-off.

“Consequently, the application fell outside the jurisdiction of the Cas”, it said in a statement.

In their arguments, the IBSF and Canadian Bobsleigh also said that even if Uhlaender was given the extra points, the US officials would have to decide whether to include her or not.

The IBSF had cleared Canada of manipulating qualification but “reminded” they should “act within the spirit” of the sport’s code of ethics.

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of striker Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in a club-record deal worth up to £48m.

The 25-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Selhurst Park and will wear the number 22 shirt.

Palace made the move for the Norway international as Eagles forward Jean-Philippe Mateta looked set for a transfer to AC Milan.

The France international, who has been nursing a knee issue, had an initial medical examination on Sunday followed by additional tests on Monday.

However, the Italian club have now pulled out of the £30m deal and the 28-year-old will remain at Selhurst Park, where he will be joined by Strand Larsen.

“We’re delighted that Jorgen has chosen to continue his impressive journey with us and look forward to seeing him in action at Selhurst Park,” said Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish.

“I’m sure he will prove himself a valuable asset for years to come.”

Palace also tried to finalise a loan-to-buy deal for Everton winger Dwight McNeil.

It has been a season to forget so far for Strand Larsen.

He has only one Premier League goal in 22 outings for an out-of-sorts Wolves side, who are bottom of the table and 18 points from safety.

But Palace will be hoping the Norway forward will replicate the form that saw him net 14 times in 35 outings for the Midlands club last term before making a loan move from Celta Vigo permanent.

“I’m really excited to come to Crystal Palace,” said Strand Larsen. “It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time now.

“I’m here to bring energy and goals, and to try to do my best for the club.”

Sunderland have signed Ecuador winger Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht in a deal worth £17.5m.

The 22-year-old has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract on Wearside, with the option of a further year.

“Nilson is an incredibly exciting prospect, and we are delighted he’s chosen to join Sunderland,” said Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.

“A quick and creative wide player, he excels in all the core actions required to impact the final third, and he arrives ambitious to make an impression.

“He’s young but has already had many interesting experiences as a senior player domestically, on the European stage, and internationally with Ecuador.

“We are delighted to have completed this signing and look forward to welcoming Nilson to Wearside.”

Angulo only signed a contract extension with Anderlecht in September 2025, after joining in 2022.

He leaves Belgium after three and a half years with 15 goal contributions this season across 30 games.

He made his senior international debut in October 2021 during a friendly against Mexico.

Wrexham have completed the signings of Davis Keillor-Dunn from Barnsley and Bailey Cadamarteri from Sheffield Wednesday.

Keillor-Dunn, 28, has scored 16 goals in 34 appearances for the Tykes this season, but returns to the club where he made six appearances in 2020.

“If there’s one club that’s calling, it’s Wrexham you want to go to,” said Keillor-Dunn, who has signed a deal through to the end of the 2028-29 season.

Jamaica international Cadamarteri – son of former Everton and Huddersfield Town forward Danny Cadamarteri – has has put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the 2028-29 season.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Cadamarteri said. “The club is on a really good journey and I’m excited to be part of it.

Sunderland-born Keillor-Dunn scored 35 goals in 78 appearances during his time with Barnsley.

“There was something that made me think in my heart that I would probably come back here,” he added.

“The way the club is progressing at the minute, there’s no better time to come. Just to get in the building and through the door, I can’t tell you how happy I am.”

Leeds-born Cadamarteri has scored twice in 30 games for Wednesday during this campaign, while he has also won four caps – and scored once – for Jamaica having opted to play for the Reggae Boyz after representing England at youth level.

Discussing Cadamarteri’s arrival, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: “We’re delighted to welcome Bailey to the club.

“He’s played a lot of Championship football this season and we look forward to him joining up with the squad.”

With two forward arrivals on deadline day, Wrexham allowed summer signing Ryan Hardie to join League One promotion-hopefuls Huddersfield Town on loan.

Harry Ashfield has sealed a loan move to Cheltenham Town, with striker Mo Faal joining the midfielder in moving to the League Two club on a temporary basis.

Cadamarteri, who joined Wednesday when aged nine, made his league debut for the Owls aged 18 in November 2023.