Darren Anderton questions Cristian Romero captaincy as Archie Gray backed for future role

Tottenham Hotspur legend Darren Anderton believes Cristian Romero should not be captain of the club and has instead identified Archie Gray as a future leader capable of wearing the armband.

Speaking exclusively to Standard Sport, the former Spurs midfielder praised Gray's maturity and attitude while questioning Romero's leadership following a turbulent season in north London.

Anderton's comments come at a time when Tottenham are facing uncertainty, with several young players linked with moves away and Roberto De Zerbi preparing for his first full campaign in charge.

Gray has impressed since joining Tottenham from Leeds United in 2024, establishing himself as one of the club's standout performers despite playing in several different positions during his debut campaign.

Although the 20-year-old found opportunities more limited following De Zerbi's arrival, Anderton believes the England Under-21 international remains one of Tottenham's most important players.

The former winger said he could "100 per cent" see Gray becoming Spurs captain in the future, praising both his character and consistency.

Gray is also expected to remain part of De Zerbi's long-term plans despite speculation surrounding the futures of other highly-rated youngsters, including Lucas Bergvall and Luka Vušković.

In contrast, Anderton was highly critical of current captain Cristian Romero, arguing that recent events have raised serious questions over his suitability for the role.

The former England international pointed to Romero's controversial trip to Argentina towards the end of last season, as Tottenham battled to avoid relegation, suggesting the defender's priorities appeared elsewhere at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Anderton also highlighted Romero's disciplinary record, noting that the World Cup winner has collected multiple red cards during his Spurs career, including a costly dismissal against Manchester United last season.

For Anderton, those incidents are incompatible with the standards expected from a club captain, insisting leaders should set the example through both their commitment and discipline.

With De Zerbi beginning a new era at Tottenham, the debate over who should lead the team could remain a talking point if Romero's position comes under increasing scrutiny.

Romero is expected to remain Tottenham captain heading into the new campaign, but strong performances from Gray could strengthen his credentials as a future leader. Much will also depend on how De Zerbi reshapes the squad and whether the young midfielder can establish himself as a regular starter.

Do you agree with Darren Anderton that Archie Gray should eventually captain Tottenham, or does Cristian Romero deserve to keep the armband?