In a season of mixed performances, Tottenham Hotspur’s summer acquisition, Xavi Simons, is facing scrutiny amid concerns he is not adapting swiftly enough to the Premier League’s rigorous demands. The Dutch international, who joined Spurs from RB Leipzig for a hefty £52 million, has yet to score and registered just a single assist in ten outings across all competitions under the stewardship of Thomas Frank.
The young playmaker, who dazzled in the Bundesliga last term with ten goals and seven assists, finds himself under the spotlight. Dutch journalist Johan Derksen argues that while Simons possesses the technical finesse, he is struggling to match the Premier League’s physical intensity.
Speaking on the “Groeten uit Grolloo” podcast, Derksen observed, “He’s a player with bags of talent who thrived in the Netherlands and performed admirably in Germany, but in England, the physicality is a different beast. He’s having trouble keeping up with the pace and is physically outmatched.”
Derksen contrasted Simons’ situation with that of Tijjani Reijnders, who has smoothly transitioned into a star player at Manchester City, underscoring the necessity of physical resilience alongside technical skills in the English top flight.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, while acknowledging Simons’ adaptation struggles, drew parallels with Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz to illustrate the challenges such talents face when transitioning to the Premier League. “Players need time to adapt to new environments country, club, culture, and it’s crucial to see their performances in a broader context over time,” Frank remarked.
He emphasized the importance of nurturing glimpses of potential during this adjustment phase, noting improvements in Simons’ play as he pushes for greater influence in attacking phases.
In response to these challenges, Spurs are reportedly considering bolstering their attacking options in the upcoming January transfer window. Italian media outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claims Tottenham, alongside Bayern Munich, are ‘serious’ about a move for Jonathan David of Lille fame. Despite the Canadian striker’s underwhelming start at his current club, with just one goal in ten appearances, he remains a tantalising prospect for Spurs’ aspirations.
As Tottenham charts its course for the season, managing current squad dynamics while eyeing potential reinforcements could prove pivotal to their campaign’s success.