Thomas Frank lauds Xavi Simons’ display in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Brentford at home.
Xavi Simons finally showed why Tottenham Hotspur shelled out big bucks for his services in the summer with a stunning solo goal and an assist, as the Lilywhites overcame Brentford 2-0 at home.
Spurs’ 2-0 win over Brentford was their first at home in the Premier League since the opening weekend of the season, when they thrashed newly-promoted Burnley 3-0, and Xavi Simons was the chief architect of Thomas Frank’s victory against his former club. The Netherlands international has not enjoyed an easy start to life in the Premier League after moving from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, leading to Thomas Frank demoting him to the bench in recent games.
The Tottenham boss has been patient with the 22-year-old and backed him to come good for the club. The creative midfielder has shown flashes of the quality that once made him one of the Bundesliga’s most sought-after young talents, yet he struggled to build momentum in the Premier League until today.
Thomas Frank pleased with Xavi Simons’ performance vs. Brentford
Starting his first game in a month, Xavi Simons produced his best performance in a Tottenham shirt. He produced a low cross for Richarlison to tap home in the 25th minute for the opener. The Dutchman then doubled Tottenham’s advantage before half-time with a superb solo goal.
After recovering possession away from three Brentford players close to the centre-circle, he set off on a mazy run until the length of the pitch, holding off the challenges of Sepp van den Berg and Yehor Yarmolyuk before slipping the ball past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Afterwards, Frank was asked about Simons’ performance against Brentford. The Tottenham boss told the club’s official website (h/t BBC Sport):
“Very pleasing. I am really so pleased for him because he has been working so hard on the training pitch and in the gym.
“He is a 24/7 pro and wants it so badly. I think he has been on a good run and close to being decisive. Today with an assist and a goal, very good.”
The wait is over for Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons has been under fire and criticised from sections of fans, pundits and media outlets for his lack of impact in the opening months of the season at Tottenham. Despite getting a sustained run in the team, he failed to make much of any impact in the team’s play in the final third.
Frank’s decision to take the playmaker off the starting XI and bring him off the bench has seemingly worked out. A fresh Simons gave a glimpse of his mercurial talent, not just with his assist and goal, but also his ball manipulation, movement, link-up play and tenacity. When the ball hit the back of the net in the 43rd minute, one could see the relief in the player’s face as if the weight on his shoulders has been finally released.
This display should massively lift the Dutch star’s spirits and confidence levels ahead of a tricky run of fixtures for Frank’s side. A fully firing, confident and hearty Simons would be such a boon for this team needing stability and continuity.
