Cuti on following in Ossie's footsteps and wanting to 'truly make my mark' at Spurs

Cristian Romero has spoken about the influence of Ossie Ardiles, how playing in this squad 'is as good as it gets' and his ambitions with the Club moving forward.

Named one of Ange Postecoglou's vice-captains to Heung-Min Son alongside James Maddison ahead of the season, Cuti responded with a fine 2023/24 campaign, leading from the back as we improved from eighth in 2022/23 to fifth to qualify for the UEFA Europa League next term.

His influence was certainly felt throughout - not forgetting that he lined-up with three Premier League debutants - Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie - in his defensive five when we kicked-off at Brentford back in August.

Born and raised in the Argentinian city of Córdoba, Cuti has been on an upward career trajectory ever since his senior debut for Belgrano as an 18-year-old to establish himself as a key player for both club and country.

Compatriot and fellow Cordoban, Ossie Ardiles, started out on a similar path to the centre-back and, alongside Ricardo Villa, arrived in north London after lifting the 1978 World Cup with a flair and winning mentality that helped bring glittering success here with consecutive FA Cup trophies and the 1984 UEFA Cup.

Very familiar with Ossie’s exploits on these shores four decades prior, it was through conversations with his countryman and our current player Giovani Lo Celso that helped paint an impressive picture of what to expect ahead of his move and the defender has been grateful for the opportunity to represent the Club ever since.

Having also won the biggest prize in world football himself at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Argentina international believes the team is on the right path to success and is determined to replicate both Ossie and Ricky by bringing silverware to this club to really leave his mark in Lilywhite.

“Very happy, nearly three seasons here now,” said Cuti, speaking to us for our official matchday programme in May, when asked to summarise his time with us since his move from Italian side Atalanta in August 2021. “When I got a call after the Copa América that Spurs wanted to sign me I was never in doubt.

“I already knew about the club as Ossie is from my city, Córdoba, and he achieved great things here, so we spoke a lot ahead of coming here and he told me what to expect. Also, Gio was here then and told me how impressive the club was and how enormous the structure and set-up was.

“On arrival I was still surprised in a good way because it was a big step for me, given where I’d come from, and everything hadn’t always been easy from my humble beginnings to be where I’m sitting today.

“To be playing here in this wonderful group is as good as it gets so I try to enjoy every minute, keep learning and improving every day. When I look back on where I’ve come from and all the effort put in to be sitting here today, wearing this shirt, I’m really grateful.

“Everyone who wears this shirt is doing all they can to progress in that direction. The main thing is we are on the right path, and we need to keep going in that direction to try to win things.

“I still have huge ambition and, together with everyone at the club, want to head in the right direction to achieve things to truly make my mark here.”