Xavi Simons at centre of ‘crazy’ situation amid huge Tottenham development
Xavi Simons’ arrival at Tottenham was undoubtedly one of the highlights of their summer transfer business.
Thomas Frank’s side finished the window with eight new additions within their ranks, with the Dutchman their second-most expensive capture of the summer.
Simons joined Tottenham for a fee of around £51.8million, a figure which ranks him among the club’s biggest ever transfer buys.
The 22-year-old received a rousing reception from his new fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth, and he already finds himself at the centre of a surprising situation.
This article includes exclusive comments from Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham.
Tottenham hailed for seven-year Xavi Simons contract
Simons is an important acquisition for Tottenham, who have been needing to find quality cover for James Maddison after he had surgery on his ACL recently.
The former Barcelona academy graduate has starred for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga over the last two seasons and is undoubtedly ready to make the step up to Premier League level.
Attacking additions were the key priority for the North Londoners in the final stages of the window, and Simons’ arrival is certainly a promising move for them.
- Simons notched 44 goal contributions across his two years with Leipzig
- 17 of those came from just 25 Bundesliga starts last season
Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that he will be a big signing for Spurs, and has also praised the contract agreement as part of the deal.
“Simons is just an amazing signing because he has the right blend of being that perfect age of just 22, but with so much experience behind him already,” Wenham said.
“I think he’s got 137 senior appearances for the likes of PSV, Leipzig, PSG, obviously came through it at Barcelona, the La Masia academy. He’s made 15 Champions League appearances and has 28 caps for Holland.
‘”You’re getting a player who’s experienced with still youth on side. His best years are still to come. The reports are that Spurs signed a contract that could run until 2032, which is just crazy. So Tottenham are really securing his best years.”
Xavi Simons is an excellent replacement for James Maddison
Securing a strong replacement for Maddison became an immediate priority for Tottenham in the latter stages of the window, and they certainly appear to have managed that with the signing of Simons.
| Simons | Stats (per 90) | Maddison |
| 0.67 | Goals + Assists | 0.8 |
| 3.56 | Progressive Carries | 2.24 |
| 5.86 | Progressive Passes | 8.16 |
| 4.52 | Shot Creating Actions | 4.73 |
| 1.38 | Successful Take-Ons | 1.64 |
The youngster notched a hugely impressive 17 goal involvements from just 25 games in the Bundesliga last term, and if he can replicate that kind of form in N17, then the Lilywhites will forget all about Maddison.
The England star was a big influence on the team, but his poor injury record has been a concern for some time now, and Spurs may have finally found his long-term replacement.
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