The numbers that reveal Xavi Simons is not the problem at Tottenham, Thomas Frank is
Xavi Simons has been criticised for his recent performances at Tottenham.
Simons signed for Spurs from RB Leipzig over the summer as their marquee signing, but he has been anything but these past couple of weeks.
Indeed, Simons has been criticised by Tottenham fans for his lacklustre performances which have left them anticipating Dejan Kulusevski’s return.
However, any blame on the attacking midfielder may be misplaced.
Xavi Simons is not seeing enough of the ball
Simons has regressed in almost every aspect of his game and that was clear as day in Spurs’ defeat to Aston Villa.
For a time, it was believed that Frank’s decision to play Simons on the left wing was the problem. But it seems that was only part of the underlying issue.
When playing for Leipzig in the Bundesliga the attacking midfielder averaged 62.6 touches per game during the 2023/24 season and 68 in 2024/25, according to Sofascore. Tottenham? Just 41.2 per game.
The difference is staggering. At first, one could conclude that Leipzig are more of a possession based side.
That conclusion would be incorrect. Indeed, Leipzig averaged 55.5 per cent possession in 2023/24 and 52.3 per cent last season.
Meanwhile, Spurs have averaged 55.3 per cent in the Premier League which is slightly higher than the German side.
Not only is he not receiving the ball in favourable positions, but Frank’s system had made it so that Simons is hardly receiving the ball at all.
How does this compare to Simons’ 2024/25 Bundesliga season?
The result of this has been monumental, with Simons performing nowhere near the level of his most recent Bundesliga season.
- Simons created 12 big chances last season
- 83 per cent of his passes were accurate
- He netted 10 goals with a 20 per cent conversion rate
Meanwhile, the Dutch international has recorded one assist from one big chance created in the Premier League. He has yet to score a goal and averages 0.2 shots on target per game.
While Simons has been inconsistent when on the ball, a drop off in form is to be expected given the system he’s playing in.
Thomas Frank needs to use Xavi Simons differently
Frank has mishandled Simons from the beginning. From mis-profiling him to seeing him receive limited touches in the final third, it almost resembles a train wreck.
Now one of the issues could very well be that his teammates are not used to playing with him and thus do not look for him on the pitch.
But there’s a huge problem if a team that lacks creativity is not searching for their ’10’ in favourable positions.
It seems that Simons is a victim of his own circumstances at the moment. While this could change as the team gels, the Dutchman is nothing more than wasted potential as it stands.
Simons at Spurs could be brilliant but he needs time and more importantly, a coach who understands when and were to play him. Frank could still be the right man to do it, but it’s up to him to show that now.
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