Tottenham'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 boss works perfectly for Spurs. He’s putting together a really good group and created a good atmosphere.
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."
I don’t know what he saw in me to make me vice-captain but I always give 100 per cent and I’m very happy here.
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.
"Gio is a fantastic player," said Romero. "Obviously, I know him, he's my friend, but Gio the player can bring so much to Tottenham.
"He's an intelligent player, he can bring so much to the forwards. I hope he can stay and he has chances. I know he wants to stay. He's willing, he wants to compete and have a great year in the Premier League. That's really important."
Spurs's last meeting with Bournemouth was one of the bleakest occasions of last season, a 3-2 home defeat during the disastrous interregnum of Cristian Stellini.
"The past is the past and we're focused on this season," Romero said. "After a great victory against Manchester United, we need to do it again. It's difficult to stay at that level, but if we want to compete this season and achieve great things, this is the only way."
