Cristian Romero interview: Ange Postecoglou is perfect for Tottenham, we are a family now
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ottenham's encouraging and, perhaps, unexpected win over Manchester United last weekend left many fans brimming with optimism about the potential of
Ange Postecoglou's side — and the club's new vice-captain
Cristian Romero is no different.
"I'm someone who thinks nothing is impossible, so if we keep up this level let's see [what we can achieve]," Romero told
Standard Sport. "All I ask from people is to trust us.
"All the players are going to give everything, along with the staff, to take Tottenham as high as possible and try to win trophies. Things take time, but if we're together, I believe we can achieve great things."
Romero's optimism is down in large part to Postecoglou, who, just two matches into the job, has transformed the mood around the club.
The dark cloud cast by the loss of Harry Kane on the eve of the campaign has quickly lifted and, as Spurs head to Bournemouth for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off, fans are itching to see them in action again.
"He's a coach that works perfectly for Tottenham, he's brought a lot of new hope," Romero said. "It might take a while, but I think what he's doing is fantastic. He's putting together a great group and creating a really good atmosphere. It's only been two or three months, but all of the team are behind him. It's always positive to have a coach who wants to assume responsibility, and the club needed this new energy.
"It's not like someone new comes in and [suddenly] you're winning. It's a process. A process requires time and it's not easy to win trophies, but that's what the coach wants and that's what we want.
"I think if the club continues in this direction with this coach we're going to achieve great things."
Postecoglou is charged with not only returning Spurs to an attacking style of play, but leading a full cultural re-set at a club that appeared to have lost its very sense of self.
Kane and interim manager Ryan Mason both criticised slipping standards last season, while Romero is among the players who has admitted that there was a divide between the squad and former boss Antonio Conte.
"From day one, [Postecoglou] asked us to be a family," Romero added. "It's not just 25 players. I'm talking about the staff, the club, everyone from the president to the youngest player, we all have to go together in the same direction. It really is the only way we can achieve great things.
"Our fans were fantastic against Manchester United. We have to thank them, but I hope they can remain with us even if we hit a rocky patch."
Romero's faith in Postecoglou is clearly reciprocated and the World Cup winner was unexpectedly named as one of two deputies to new club captain Heung-min Son.
With James Maddison not expected to be fit for tomorrow, Romero will wear the armband for the first time if Son is substituted at Vitality Stadium.
"It was a beautiful surprise, I wasn't expecting it," said Romero. "I'm always grateful to have the trust of the club and the coach and I'm always trying to transmit my energy to my team-mates. It's a new role, I'm learning, but I have great examples [of leadership] from my [former] clubs and Argentina.
"You would have to ask the coach [what he has seen in me], but I always give 100 per cent. I have years left on my contract here and I'm very happy here."
At just 24, Romero is now one of the senior players in the Spurs dressing room, not least because there is such a fresh feel to Postecoglou's team. The rest of the back five against United had just 16 Premier League starts between them, with 13 of them belonging to January signing Pedro Porro. Destiny Udogie, bought last year but loaned out, Micky van de Ven and goalkeeper Vicario Guglielmo are all new additions.
Tellingly, Romero groups Yves Bissouma with the summer signings when discussing their impact, underlining the midfielder's transformation in the first two games of the campaign.
"I have been surprised by Destiny," Romero said, when asked about the new-look defence. "But not only him, Micky, [Manor] Solomon, Bissouma, Vicario — they've all brought new energy and we needed that."
Romero is also backing his Argentina team-mate Giovani Lo Celso to show Spurs fans his best this season, with the midfielder in contention for his first start in the Premier League since October 2021 against Bournemouth.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/fo...interview-tottenham-postecoglou-b1102985.html