Cristian Romero reveals split between Conte and players – while refuting claims he cares more about Argentina than Spurs

CRISTIAN ROMERO has opened up on how a rift between Antonio Conte and Tottenham’s players saw last season unravel.

While the World Cup winner has refuted claims he cares more about playing for Argentina than Spurs, revealing he has snubbed offers to leave the club this summer.

Cristian Romero revealed the split between Spurs players and Antonio Conte

Romero also feels new boss Ange Postecoglou has brought the club back together and given the team “renewed hunger”.

In a refreshingly honest interview, the 25-year-old laid bare what went wrong last term under hot-head Conte, who left the club in March before Spurs finished eighth and out of Europe.

The divide between manager and squad reared its head after the World Cup in Qatar – which Romero won alongside Lionel Messi.

The tough-tackling defender, speaking through a translator at Perth Children’s Hospital, explained: “When I came (back) to the club, the group were somewhat separate from the staff.

“My first match (after the World Cup) was Spurs v Aston Villa at home. That’s where it all started.

“We won one game, then we’d lose two and when things are divided and not everyone is pulling in the same direction – coaches, players, not pulling in the same direction – it becomes very difficult.”

Spurs lost another NINE league games after that 2-0 home defeat to Villa on New Year’s Day and crashed out of both the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Conte went out swinging as he accused his players of being “selfish” in an explosive press conference at Southampton in March and was gone two weeks later.

Romero knows very well he must shoulder some of the blame himself for the nightmare campaign, having been part of a defence that leaked 63 league goals.

But he hopes lessons have been learnt from the bitter divorce with Conte and that calmer, and more successful, times are ahead with new chief Postecoglou.

The former Atalanta man added: “I feel responsible for the poor season we had. I’m not happy that the season ended in that way and I’m readying myself to repay all of the trust that the club put in me and I’ll be working to give my best. 

“We have renewed hunger with the new manager. 

Ivan Perišić and Cristian Romero meeting children at the Perth Children’s Hospital

Perišić and Romero meeting children at the Perth Children’s Hospital

“He’s exactly the manager that the club needed and we’ll try to give the best of ourselves in order to get Tottenham as high as possible.”

There is a feeling among some Spurs fans that Romero’s pride in playing for Argentina outweighs what he feels representing Tottenham.

Some felt he ducked out of the final few games before the World Cup to ensure he was in tip-top condition for his nation in Qatar.

Yet when SunSport put the accusations that he favours country over club to Romero, he was unequivocal in his response.

He said: “I think the people that say this clearly don’t know me because I’m contracted to the club for many (more) years. I always try to give my best. 

“If I didn’t feel the same passion (for Spurs as I do for Argentina), I would look to leave the club. 

“Obviously I’m not happy with how last season ended for me and I’m the first to hold my hands up and say it wasn’t the best season.

“But when I got offers from other clubs to move away for this coming season, I said no because I want to have my best years here. 

“I really like the Premier League, I really like Tottenham and I want to be here for many more years to come.”

Romero was speaking at Perth Children’s Hospital, Western Australia’s specialist paediatric hospital which provides medical care to children aged 15 and under. Romero took the time to meet with patients and staff as well as delivering presents on behalf of the Club