Cristian Romero believes Tottenham are moving in the right direction again but has revealed anger at a failure to act like the "big clubs" sparked his previous explosive statements.
Romero helped Spurs to a first trophy in 17 years with Europa League success in May, which earned qualification into this season's Champions League.
European glory in Bilbao came at the end of a rollercoaster campaign and Romero (27) was no stranger to a cryptic message. Back in December he claimed Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City’s spending were "things to imitate" because Tottenham’s structure meant they "could easily be competing for the title every year".
Then on the day of Thomas Frank’s appointment in June – after Ange Postecoglou was sacked 16 days on from the Europa League final – Romero paid tribute to his old boss for his achievements "despite the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist".
Ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Villarreal, club captain Romero admitted: "Yes, I did a lot of interviews which seemed like I was talking badly about people inside the club but in the end I’m a person who sometimes makes mistakes and that’s it.
"I always want the best for the club. Sometimes, things have been said that aren’t true as well, but always everything I said is because I want there to be a structure of a club that can be at the top level, part of the big clubs.
"That’s why I was sometimes so angry before, but today I see a very, very organised club with a clear idea and a coach who is organising things and everyone is seeing that in a short space of time we are with him and that’s it.
"Absolutely everyone inside is looking in the same direction and that is the important thing. We hope obviously to continue like this. There are objectives for the season but as I said before, our heads are in tomorrow’s game.
"We are going to enjoy that we’re back in the Champions League, that’s the most important thing. I see a fantastic group, a coach who leaves us with a clear idea.
"The group is very happy and we have to go game by game but I believe we can achieve great things. We hope and we are going to fight to lift another trophy."
It has been a summer of change at Spurs with Vinai Venkatesham beginning his role as chief executive in June before Daniel Levy's 24-year reign as chairman ended on 2 September after he was invited to step down in an unexpected move by majority shareholder ENIC, owned by the Lewis family.
While Romero was complimentary of Levy, pictured with Postecoglu above, he was firm in his belief that Tottenham are moving in the right direction.
He said: "I don’t know what’s happened, but he’s a person who’s been at the club for a good many years. We need to thank him, because he’s the person who brought me here to Spurs."
Romero continued: "In the end it depends on everyone that we pull in the same direction.
"I think that since Thomas arrived here, they have started to take all those decisions to go in the same direction. And then when it’s like that, everything runs a lot more easily, right?
"The players know what the objectives are for the season and we continue like this. We started to improve and we want another title this season."
Villarreal boss Marcelino insisted Thomas Partey will be ready to face Tottenham, despite the former Arsenal midfielder being due in court this week on rape and sexual assault charges.
Partey is back in north London a month after his appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 5 August – where he was charged with five counts of rape against two women as well as a charge of sexual assault against a third woman. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.
The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022 when he played for Arsenal. Partey’s lawyer Jenny Wiltshire previously said he "denies all the charges against him" and added that he welcomes "the opportunity to finally clear his name."
Ghana international Partey was not asked to enter any pleas and was subsequently granted conditional bail on 5 August. Two days later he signed for Villarreal.
The Spanish team were then drawn away to Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham and Partey is due to appear at the Old Bailey the morning after the Champions League fixture, which forced Marcelino to discuss the topic at length on the eve of the match.
"I am totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play tomorrow night," Marcelino insisted.
"For sure he will be ready. We are very happy Thomas is with us for his football capacity, football ability and his presence as a human.
"He is a great player with a lot of experience. He has played for a lot of top clubs. We know he has a great level.
"I think he will get back to a top level. I am very happy he is with us in the team."
Pressed further on if he had spoken to Partey about the level of hostility he might expect on Tuesday night, Marcelino snapped: "We’re interpreting stuff about and talking about a player that could be totally innocent.
"We’re playing a game of football tomorrow where the important thing is football. This is where football was invented after all. Do you understand me? Thank you."
Marcelino had already declined to reveal if Partey would be part of the squad, but pressed again at the end of an intense media session in London, the Villarreal chief bemoaned the discourse around the 32-year-old.
"He is with the group, he is available and tomorrow if nothing happens to a player in terms of fitness, he will be with all of us," Marcelino added.
"We are talking more about Thomas than the game."
Villarreal defender Juan Foyth was also quizzed on Partey.
The former Tottenham centre-back said: "No, I haven’t spoke with him yet, but of course he played in Arsenal so the atmosphere will be against him, for sure."
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