Xavi Simons is finally starting to prove his worth at Tottenham this season.
Tottenham star Xavi Simons is gradually finding his feet at N17 since completing his move from RB Leipzig last summer. The Dutchman was brought in as an emergency replacement for James Maddison, who ruptured his ACL during pre-season just weeks before the campaign got underway. As a result, the Lilywhites moved quickly to sign Simons as a long-term solution during the business end of the summer transfer window.
It is fair to suggest that the 22-year-old did not enjoy the best start to life in North London following his arrival. He struggled to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League and was often outpaced and outmuscled by opposition players. Jamie O’Hara even compared him to former Manchester United flop Antony, openly questioning whether Simons was built to cope with the intensity of English football.
However, it is clear that the Dutchman has finally begun to settle in recent months. He was regularly left out of the starting eleven by Thomas Frank earlier in the season, but credit must be given to the attacker for keeping his head down and working hard to reclaim his place in the side. Since then, he has not looked back and has emerged as one of Tottenham’s standout performers in recent weeks.
Thomas Frank believes Xavi Simons is progressing well at Tottenham
Tottenham supporters are now starting to see the best of Xavi Simons this season. Although he did not get on the scoresheet against Eintracht Frankfurt, the Dutchman played a pivotal role in helping the Lilywhites secure a vital victory at Deutsche Bank Park, which ensured automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16. He created several chances for his teammates and came close to opening the scoring himself, only to see his effort ruled out for offside in the build up.
Thomas Frank believes that Simons is showing encouraging signs and is moving in the right direction this season. Speaking during his pre match press conference (via Football London), Frank said, in an 81-word statement:
“I think Xavi has been on a positive [trajectory] for a while, but there is no doubt that the pace and the physicality in the Premier League is higher than all the other clubs across Europe. So, there is a bit of adaptation for him and Kolo, and then again, he has played Champions League two years in a row at Leipzig and in the Bundesliga, it is still something different. I think he is progressing and looking more and more dangerous.”
Frank insists that Xavi Simons has been showing positive signs for some time, with the Dutchman steadily adapting to the demands of the Premier League. The 22-year-old has also stepped up in the Champions League, playing a key role in helping Spurs reach the knockout stages of the competition. The Danish tactician admits that the attacker is progressing well and believes he will unlock another level to his game as the season continues.
The responsibility now lies with Simons to maintain his form and help the club climb into the top half of the Premier League table. With Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison sidelined through injury, supporters will look to the Dutchman to be a difference-maker and guide Spurs out of a difficult situation in the league. He has been performing impressively in recent weeks, but Thomas Frank will be hoping that the 22-year-old can add a goal-scoring edge to his game in the matches ahead.