After a summer of disappointments and setbacks, Tottenham Hotspur have finally secured their long-sought creative midfielder. The arrival of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig represents more than just another transfer—it’s the culmination of a desperate search for the elusive number 10 that has plagued Spurs throughout the window.
The Dutch international’s signing comes at a crucial juncture for the North London club, who had watched their primary targets slip through their fingers one by one. With just days remaining in the transfer window, Thomas Frank’s side has addressed what many considered their most pressing need.
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A Summer of Near Misses and Mounting Pressure
Tottenham’s pursuit of a creative midfielder reads like a tale of frustration and missed opportunities. The collapse of the Morgan Gibbs-White deal seven weeks prior sent shockwaves through the fanbase, while James Maddison’s ACL rupture four weeks ago left a gaping hole in the squad’s creative output. The final blow came just 10 days before Simons’ arrival, when Eberechi Eze chose Arsenal over Spurs, leaving the club scrambling for alternatives.
These setbacks highlighted a fundamental issue that everyone—from supporters to pundits—had identified: Tottenham desperately needed someone who could operate in the final third and unlock stubborn defenses. The statistics paint a stark picture of this creative drought.
The Creative Void: Numbers Don’t Lie
| Creative Metrics | Tottenham 2024-25 | League Average |
|---|---|---|
| Chances from middle third | 21% | 35% |
| Key passes per game | 8.2 | 12.4 |
| Through balls attempted | 2.1 | 4.8 |
Spurs’ early-season performances under Frank, while promising with victories over quality opposition, revealed concerning patterns. Despite taking PSG to penalties in the UEFA Super Cup and maintaining a perfect Premier League record with two wins from two games without conceding, the underlying numbers suggested over-reliance on individual brilliance rather than systematic creativity.
The fact that just 21% of Tottenham’s chances have originated from the middle third—among the lowest proportions in the Premier League—underscored the urgent need for a player who could operate between the lines and connect midfield with attack.
Enter Xavi Simons: The Profile Spurs Craved
At 22, Xavi Simons arrives with a unique blend of youth and experience that makes him an intriguing proposition. His journey through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy instilled in him the technical foundations that would later flourish at PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig.
The versatile attacking midfielder’s role at Leipzig provides the clearest indication of what Tottenham fans can expect. Operating primarily as a left-sided number 10, Simons demonstrated the positional flexibility that modern football demands, seamlessly transitioning between central creative duties and wide play.
Statistical Dominance in Germany
Simons’ impact at Leipzig was nothing short of remarkable, particularly considering the club’s struggles during the 2023-24 campaign. His involvement in 126 shot-ending attacking sequences tells the story of a player central to everything his team created going forward.
| Simons’ Leipzig Impact (2023-24) | Total | Rank in Bundesliga |
|---|---|---|
| Shot-ending sequences | 126 | 1st (Leipzig) |
| Shots taken | 43 | Top 15 |
| Chances created | 40 | Top 20 |
| Build-up involvement | 43 | Top 10 |
What makes these numbers particularly impressive is their distribution. Rather than excelling in just one area, Simons contributed almost equally across all phases of attacking play—a testament to his complete skill set as a modern number 10.
The Dribbling Dynamo
While creativity often conjures images of defense-splitting passes, Xavi Simons represents a different archetype of playmaker. His game is built around progressive ball-carrying and the ability to advance play through individual skill rather than purely through passing.
The Dutchman attempted 101 dribbles in Bundesliga play last season, placing him among an exclusive group of just 11 players to reach triple figures. Though his completion rate of 33% suggests room for improvement in decision-making, the underlying intent demonstrates a player comfortable taking risks to break lines and create opportunities.
Progressive Carrying: A Modern Skill
Perhaps more telling than his raw dribbling numbers is Simons’ effectiveness in progressive carries. His 123 long progressive carries—defined as advancing the ball at least 10 meters toward the opposition goal—ranked him sixth in the Bundesliga, with four of the five players ahead of him being defenders who naturally have more space to exploit.
This ability to drive forward with possession creates a ripple effect throughout the team’s attacking structure:
- 15 carries leading to chances created (top 7 in Bundesliga)
- 20 carries ending in shots (top 10 in Bundesliga)
- 6 carries resulting in goals or assists (top 5 in Bundesliga)
The England national team experienced this firsthand during Euro 2024, when Simons’ memorable carry and long-range strike opened the scoring in the semi-final—a moment that showcased his ability to create something from nothing.
End Product in a Struggling Side
Context matters when evaluating any player’s statistics, and Xavi Simons‘ output becomes even more impressive when considering Leipzig’s disappointing campaign. The German club endured their worst-ever Bundesliga season, finishing seventh and struggling for consistency throughout.
| Simons 2023-24 Final Numbers | Goals | Assists | Total G+A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 8 | 5 | 13 |
| All Competitions | 10 | 7 | 17 |
Producing 17 goal contributions while playing for an underperforming team highlights Simons’ capacity to influence games regardless of circumstances—exactly the type of individual brilliance Tottenham have been missing.
The Transitional Specialist
Understanding Leipzig’s tactical approach provides crucial context for evaluating how Simons might adapt to life at Tottenham. The German club ranked second in the Bundesliga for fast-break shots (44) and the proportion of shots originating from quick transitions (10.7%), indicating a team built around exploiting space in behind rather than breaking down organized defenses.
This transitional focus aligns perfectly with Thomas Frank’s tactical preferences, which emphasize verticality and quick attacking moves—principles that were evident in Tottenham’s recent victory over Manchester City.
Passing Under Pressure
Despite operating in a transition-heavy system, Simons demonstrated sophisticated passing ability when opportunities arose:
- 37 line-breaking passes (7th in Bundesliga)
- 34 line-breaking passes into the penalty area (3rd in Bundesliga, behind only Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich)
- Multiple line-breaking passes creating clear chances
The fact that five of the six players ahead of him in line-breaking pass statistics played for Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen—the league’s top two possession-dominant teams—suggests Simons possesses the technical ability to excel in more controlled environments.
Defensive Contribution and Pressing Intensity
Modern attacking midfielders must contribute defensively, and Xavi Simons brings significant value in this regard. His 21 possessions won in the opposition’s final third ranked him ninth in the Bundesliga—a statistic that should please Thomas Frank, whose tactical philosophy emphasizes aggressive pressing.
This defensive work rate ensures Simons won’t be a luxury player who needs protection, but rather a complete midfielder capable of contributing in all phases of play.
The Adaptation Challenge
Every transfer involves risk, and Simons’ move to Tottenham presents several adaptation challenges that could determine the success of this acquisition.
League Adjustment
England will represent the fifth different country of Simons’ career, following spells in Spain, France, Netherlands, and Germany. While this experience suggests adaptability, the Premier League presents unique physical and tactical demands that even seasoned professionals can struggle with initially.
The pace and intensity of English football, combined with the reduced time between games, will test Simons’ durability and consistency in ways that previous leagues may not have.
Tactical Evolution
Perhaps more significantly, Simons must adapt from Leipzig’s counter-attacking approach to Tottenham’s more varied tactical demands. While Frank’s side will continue to exploit transitions, they also need someone capable of unlocking deep-lying defenses—a skill Simons hasn’t been consistently required to demonstrate.
| Leipzig vs Expected Tottenham Role | Leipzig | Expected at Spurs |
|---|---|---|
| Primary attacking method | Transitions | Mixed (transitions + possession) |
| Defensive line faced | Usually mid-to-high | Often low block |
| Space available | More space in behind | Less space, more congested |
Six of Simons’ seven Bundesliga assists came following high turnovers or counter-attacks, with only one originating from a set piece. This suggests potential vulnerability against organized defenses, though his technical ability indicates the tools are there to succeed.
Addressing the Creative Deficit
The departure of key creative players has left Tottenham with a significant void to fill. Son Heung-min’s summer exit, combined with Maddison’s injury and Kulusevski’s ongoing fitness issues, removed players who combined for 65 goals and assists across all competitions last season.
Xavi Simons won’t be expected to single-handedly replace this output, but his arrival represents a crucial first step in rebuilding the team’s creative infrastructure.
Finishing Ability: Sustainability Questions
Simons’ goal-scoring record raises interesting questions about sustainability. His 10 non-penalty Bundesliga goals came from just 5.1 expected goals—an overperformance of +4.9 that ranked third-best in the league behind Patrick Schick and Omar Marmoush.
While this demonstrates exceptional finishing ability and composure in front of goal, such levels of overperformance are historically difficult to maintain. The relatively low expected goals total also suggests Simons doesn’t consistently find himself in high-quality scoring positions—something that could be addressed by Tottenham’s superior creative infrastructure.
The Bigger Picture: A Statement of Intent
Beyond individual statistics and tactical considerations, Simons’ signing represents a statement of intent from Tottenham’s hierarchy. After watching primary targets choose other destinations and dealing with injury setbacks to key players, the club’s persistence in securing a creative midfielder demonstrates commitment to addressing obvious squad deficiencies.
The fee and terms of the deal, while not disclosed in detail, suggest Tottenham were prepared to invest significantly rather than enter the season with a glaring weakness in their squad composition.
Read More: Nick Woltemade’s Newcastle Move: Why the £75m Giant Is Football’s Most Deceptive Striker
FAQs
What position does Xavi Simons play for Tottenham?
Simons primarily operates as an attacking midfielder or number 10, though he can also play on the left wing. At Leipzig, he frequently drifted between central and left-sided positions, providing tactical flexibility.
How much did Tottenham pay for Xavi Simons?
While the exact transfer fee hasn’t been officially disclosed, reports suggest a significant investment reflecting Simons’ status as one of Europe’s most promising young creative midfielders.
Why did Tottenham need to sign a creative midfielder?
Spurs faced a creative crisis with James Maddison’s ACL injury, Dejan Kulusevski’s ongoing fitness issues, and failed pursuits of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze. Only 21% of their chances were coming from central areas.
What are Xavi Simons’ best attributes as a player?
Simons excels at progressive carrying, line-breaking passes, defensive pressing, and clinical finishing. He’s particularly effective in transitional play and has demonstrated the ability to create moments of individual brilliance.
How will Xavi Simons fit into Thomas Frank’s tactical system?
Simons’ pressing intensity and transitional play align well with Frank’s preferences for vertical, high-energy football. His versatility allows deployment in multiple attacking positions depending on tactical requirements.
