Former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth has admitted that he knew he wanted to stay at Villarreal from his first day at the club. Joining the Yellow Submarines on a season-long loan deal in October 2020 after limited opportunities at Tottenham, the Argentina international got the regular action he needed in Spain and became a regular in Unai Emery's side.
Playing his part in Villarreal's Europa League success as they defeated Manchester United in the 2020/21 final, the La Liga outfit then activated the clause in their agreement to make Foyth's loan deal permanent. Now thriving at Estadio de la Ceramica and even mentioned in regards to a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, the 24-year-old has admitted that he realised Villarreal was the club for him straightaway.
"I never thought I would have a feeling like this for a club. From the first day I knew that I wanted to stay," he told Onda Cero.
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Given opportunities here and there under Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham as he tried to ease him into life in the Premier League, Foyth really struggled for minutes during Jose Mourinho's tenure. Playing in three games for the Portuguese in his first two months in charge and not featuring at all in the second part of the campaign, albeit not helped by injured, Foyth knew he needed to leave.
“When he arrived I was fine, but I had moments when I didn't deserve to play. I wanted to leave and have more continuity," he explained.
Joined at Villarreal in the summer by Serge Aurier following his Tottenham exit, the pair were then reunited with Giovani Lo Celso on the final day of the winter transfer window after he departed Spurs on loan. Tottenham fans will certainly be keeping a keen eye on the trio on Tuesday evening with Emery's team taking on Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Leading 1-0 from the first game in Spain, Villarreal are going to have to be at their very best at the Allianz Arena to stop Bayern from overturning the deficit. Foyth knows it is going to be tough but he has stated that Villarreal will be doing all they can to advance.
"At least one more goal would have been fair but Bayern are one of the best teams in the world. With great humility we are going to continue fighting to be there. We are going to compete," said the former Spurs man. "Playing 90 minutes defending against Bayern is very difficult. It's a very nice and historic football game and we're going to try to win. We're going to compete the same way."
