Tottenham Hotspur star Xavi Simons looks impressive while training for the Netherlands
Xavi Simons has looked like a completely different player while away on international duty with the Netherlands, leaving Tottenham fans scratching their heads.
The 22-year-old midfielder has divided opinion among Spurs supporters since his £52 million arrival from RB Leipzig in the summer, with his performances at N17 falling well short of expectations so far this season.
However, footage that has emerged from the Netherlands training ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania tells a very different story about the Dutchman’s confidence and ability.
It was reported by EuroFoot via X shared footage of Simons dictating the training tempo for the Netherlands, as the Tottenham man appears to be full of confidence and completely at ease with his surroundings.
The video shows Simons demonstrating his technical quality and footballing intelligence in ways that Spurs fans have rarely witnessed during his time in North London.
It will be strange for Tottenham supporters to see, as the attacking midfielder has come across as a player who’s quite timid and reserved in the Premier League environment.
Simons was called up to the Netherlands squad for the World Cup qualifiers, and the footage suggests he could return to Spurs on the back of some positive momentum during the international break.
Struggling to find his feet at Spurs
Tottenham invested heavily in Simons after his impressive performances in Germany, where he showed great promise and potential for Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
However, his output for Spurs has been deeply concerning. He has struggled to cope with the intensity of the Premier League and has yet to score his first goal for the club.
The Lilywhites have endured a turbulent start to the 2025-26 campaign, with several players delivering inconsistent performances across the board.
Richarlison has been poor, Randal Kolo Muani has yet to make the desired impact at N17, and now Simons finds himself in the firing line alongside his struggling teammates.
While the Dutchman has shown glimpses of quality for Tottenham, the latest footage from international duty may suggest that it could be an internal problem at Spurs that is holding him back from reaching his potential.
Ultimately, Simons’ form comes down to what he does on the pitch. Nobody can hold his hand through intense games, and he needs to take responsibility for his performances in a Tottenham shirt.
However, the effect Thomas Frank has on the midfielder should not be overlooked, especially when comparing his displays for club and country.
It’s no surprise to see Simons struggling with his output, particularly when Tottenham’s attack has been poor overall this season. His performances for the Netherlands prove he has the talent and confidence to perform at the highest level.
The question now is whether Frank can unlock that same quality on a consistent basis in the Premier League, or whether Simons will continue to look like a shadow of his true self when wearing the Lilywhite shirt.
With the pressure mounting on both the player and the manager, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether this £52 million gamble will pay off for Tottenham.
