Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says Xavi Simons has trained well and is ready to face Brentford on Saturday.
Tottenham Hotspur have been on a terrible run of form lately, and it took an incredible overhead kick from skipper Cristian Romero to rescue a point against Newcastle United on Tuesday evening. The result ended Spurs’ three-game losing run, but their problems were very well-documented throughout the game at St James’ Park.
The Lilywhites’ home form has been atrocious and persistently criticised by the fans and pundits within this wretched run, with them mustering just three league wins at home in 2025 thus far. Thus, Thomas Frank is under severe pressure ahead of facing his former club Brentford on Saturday.
The 52-year-old tactician would have been satisfied with his team earning a point at Newcastle United, especially after coming twice from behind, but certainly not happy with the performance. So, he will want his boys to be braver and play with intensity when Brentford visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Thomas Frank provides update on Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons has been struggling to find form and consistency at Tottenham since his big-money summer move from RB Leipzig. Despite getting a sustained run in the team, the Netherlands international failed to make much of any impact in the team’s play in the final third. Fans and pundits have hammered the 22-year-old for his lack of physicality and inability to decide games for the club.
Considering his underwhelming displays, Thomas Frank has chosen to bench the creative midfielder in the last four games. When addressing the media in his presser ahead of the Brentford game, Frank was asked to give an update on Xavi Simons. The Spurs boss told the club’s official website:
“Xavi has trained fantastic the last whatever five, six times. Very good attitude on the training pitch, I like that a lot.
“We’ve played different games with different lineups and I think Xavi was towards something better and better. Just like Matty, trained well, good attitude and we’re getting closer and he’s come on in the last four games.”
Xavi Simons could start vs. Brentford
It is another quick turnaround for Spurs, meaning Frank is expected to rotate his squad to keep the players fit, fresh and away from injuries. Having come off the bench in recent games, Xavi should be physically and mentally fresher than some of his teammates to start against Brentford.
He has slipped down the pecking order, but Saturday would be an opportunity for the playmaker to finally announce himself as a Tottenham player. There’s no doubting the Dutchman’s talent and potential, it is the physicality and intensity aspect he’s trying to adapt to, which is quite normal for a young player arriving from a different league struggle with.
If Frank and Spurs intend to see the best of Xavi, he should play regularly. There’s no point in investing heavily on a player and giving him minutes off the bench.
