Thomas Frank feels Xavi Simons is going in the right direction at Tottenham after a slow start to life in England
Tottenham Hotspur had a productive summer transfer window, backing new boss Thomas Frank to rebuild the squad. They brought in several top-quality players to strengthen the squad, including Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and Randal Kolo Muani to bolster the attack. Joao Palhinha, signed on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, has added steel and power to Spurs’ midfield.
So far, Kudus and Palhinha have enjoyed bright starts to life at White Hart Lane. Their arrivals have certainly elevated the quality of Tottenham’s squad. However, one player still finding his feet at Spurs is Xavi Simons.
Xavi Simons joined the Lilywhites in a £51m deal from RB Leipzig in August. The Dutchman’s signing was a clear statement of intent from the Europa League champions, signalling their ambition to build on last season’s Europa League triumph and filling the void created by James Maddison’s injury absence.
Thomas Frank opens up on Xavi Simons adjusting to life in the Premier League
It’s fair to say that Xavi has not yet managed to fully showcase his potential for the north London club after a relatively slow start to the campaign. During the initial weeks, Thomas Frank opted to deploy the Netherlands international on the left flank to play Lucas Bergvall as a No.10, a decision that drew frustration from the Tottenham fans. The 22-year-old appeared uncomfortable and failed to make much of an influence in the final third from the wide areas.
The Danish tactician decided to use Xavi in the No.10 role against Leeds United and he enjoyed his best game in a Spurs shirt. A central role allowed him to use his creative brain to find spaces in the final third and link play better with his fellow attackers. With Frank hoping he’d build on his Leeds display, Xavi was deployed as a No.10 against Aston Villa as well on Sunday.
However, the Netherlands talent struggle to impose himself on the opposition this time. He was criticised by the press after the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. Addressing the media ahead of Spurs’ trip to AS Monaco in the Champions League, Frank was asked about how Xavi is settling at the club following his summer move from RB Leipzig. The Spurs gaffer responded (h/t BBC Sport):
“He’s a very good player coming into a new country, new club, new city. We’re all getting judged every game but we need to see the bigger perspective. There were some good bits – asking him to arrive in the box, and he did. It’s constantly going in the right direction.”
Xavi must quickly prove his detractors wrong
Xavi has registered just an assist in a Tottenham shirt thus far, which came in the 3-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium last month. Overall, barring few flashes of his potential, the Dutchman has been disappointing. His end product has been questionable, while the playmaker has ceded possession many times in promising areas of the pitch.
There is no debating that the ex-RB Leipzig man is a quality player. At 22, Xavi is a player with bright future, and there is a reason why he was such a hot commodity in the transfer market before Spurs bought him in. He is a young player and adjusting to the demands of the Premier League is proving difficult, which is no shame at all.
Frank must find a system to maximise Xavi’s potential- either as a left winger or a No.10. Once he gets his rhythm, confidence, and cohesion, and settles into the Premier League, the goals and assists will start flowing for the Amsterdam-born star.
