Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has backed Xavi Simons to come good at Tottenham after a slow start
Out of the seven summer signings that Tottenham Hotspur made in the summer transfer window, Xavi Simons was arguably the arrival that the fans were most excited about.
Xavi Simons built his reputation in the Bundesliga as one of the thrilling creative talents. The 22-year-old became a household name with RB Leipzig, impressing in both Bundesliga and the Champions League. So, it was obvious why he arrived at Tottenham with so much fanfare.
However, the Netherlands international has failed to hit the ground running at White Hart Lane. He has looked off the pace, with several English pundits already writing off the creative midfielder as a big-money flop in the Premier League. It is fair to say that Xavi has looked like a shadow of himself and there are some growing concerns around Spurs that Thomas Frank may run out of patience with him if he does not step up in the upcoming important games.
Real Madrid superstar backs Xavi to shine at Tottenham
Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas recently sympathised with Xavi due to his struggles to adjust to the pace and intensity of the English football. And now the Spurs playmaker has found support from Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe.
On the occasion of receiving the Golden Boot on Friday evening, Kylian Mbappe was asked about Xavi during a long interview with Marca. The 2018 World Cup winner shared a dressing room with Xavi at Paris Saint-Germain, so he knows the player. The France international praised the 22-year-old’s decision to join Tottenham and backed him to do well for Thomas Frank’s side.
“Yes, he’s a very talented young player,” Mbappe said in an interview with Marca (h/t Sport Witness).
“He made a smart decision going to PSV Eindhoven to get playing time. When you’re young at a big club, it’s not easy because everyone wants to play. Then he went to Leipzig, where he played very well.
“Now he’s at Tottenham, and I hope he continues to develop and achieves everything he wants. I wish him the best of luck.”
Xavi will come good for Tottenham
The pressure is on Xavi to perform after being backed by the gaffer, fans, and now Mbappe. Players from different leagues tend to take time to adjust to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, and Xavi has been no different. The Dutchman is a gifted player who is too good to flop in the English top-flight, after of course, enduring a slow start to life at N17.
Frank is seemingly still trying to find the best role for the ex-RB Leipzig star in his system, having used him on the left wing and as a No.10. With more time, experience and understanding with his teammates, Xavi will come good and prove his worth at Tottenham. It is only a matter of time before he starts showing his true colours and silences his naysayers.
