Spurs face Everton at home on the final day, with the north London side needing a win to retain its Premier League status for another season.

A draw would also likely be enough for Spurs, who have a superior goal difference over relegation rival West Ham United, which hosts Leeds United in its final game on Monday (AEST).

Club captain Romero has opted to travel to his native Argentina to watch his boyhood club Belgrano face River Plate in a title decider rather than stay in England to back Spurs.

"Sometimes, not all the leaders are the same," Tottenham boss Roberto  De Zerbi said in defence of his captain.

"Ben Davies spoke with me and asked to stay to work with us. He wanted to stay with the team and team-mates.

"Romero is preparing for the [2026 FIFA]  World Cup with an injury. For me, nothing changed. Then we have to think, everything is for the best future of Tottenham.

"He spoke with the medical staff. Together, they decided to go to Argentina to complete rehab with Argentinian medical staff.

"We spoke last week. With me, he has shown he wants to stay with us. I want to be clear, I am not stupid. If I understand that there is a player who thinks for himself before the club, I cannot be the same Roberto.

"With Romero, I can't say nothing. With me, in my time, he has been correct at the beginning until now."

Tottenham is winless in its past 10 home league games, losing six of those, its second-longest run in its league history after a 14-game streak between October 1993 and April 1994.

"In football, there are different games. There are these type of games, like a final," De Zerbi added.

"For us, for West Ham, it will be two finals, and we have to adapt, and we have to change the habits.

"I think it's a great thing to have the chance to play as a player. If I think as a player, for me, these types of games are good to play, to prepare, to suffer the pressure."