Tottenham fans will love what Xavi Simons has done ahead of North London derby vs Arsenal
Xavi Simons has recently started coming into his own at Tottenham, with his performances, even in losses, standing out among the crowd.
The Netherlands forward found it tough in the beginning of his life at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Thomas Frank struggled to get the best out of him.
Over the last few weeks, his quality has been clearer than ever, and that could be explained by the work ethic he is showing in N17.
Following the sacking of Frank, Spurs gave their players five days off, as they had no FA Cup fixture, and it allowed them time to source a new manager.
However, according to talkSPORT, Simons did not take up that option of a break and instead continued to train ahead of facing Arsenal.
With the North London Derby up next, Tottenham supporters will love that Simons has kept his focus on that match, with both pride and potentially Premier League safety on the line.
Xavi Simons leading by example at Tottenham
Simons’ commitment to improving for Tottenham is a testament to the player they purchased for £51.8million in the summer.
Big fees can often bring big expectations, and instead of being happy with his current level, he is trying to reach those heights.
His decision to continue training rather than taking a break shows that he understands the importance of the upcoming fixture against Arsenal and the situation Spurs find themselves in.
The Dutch international is leading by example with his actions on the pitch, and now he is doing the same off of it as well. It is an elite mentality, and why Simons can still be a huge success at Tottenham.
Hopefully, the forward can play a big role on 22 February, as Spurs aim to dent their bitter rivals’ title hopes.
What has Igor Tudor said about Tottenham’s system?
Simons is a versatile player, so no matter the system Igor Tudor uses, he will likely be able to fit into it.
Tudor has often used a 3-4-2-1 setup with wide attacking midfielders throughout his time as a manager. However, he has cast doubt on whether he will use what has become known as his style.
The Croatian has opened the door to a different formation, stating: “We need to find the best system that suits the players that are available at this moment.”
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Attacking Midfield | 72 | 24 | 23 |
| Left Winger | 67 | 18 | 18 |
| Right Winger | 27 | 7 | 6 |
| Centre-Forward | 12 | 5 | 6 |
| Central Midfield | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Left Midfield | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Second Striker | 1 | 0 | 0 |
During Frank’s tenure, Simons found his time out on the left limited. While he was used there on occasion, he was more often than not used centrally or as a right-sided number 10.
Simons could have a big impact in the number 10 role, with his two Spurs goals coming when playing in that position.
It is also a role in which he seems to produce his best numbers as well.
For more on Tottenham, follow Football Insider for the latest insight and updates.