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Thomas Frank likens Spurs player currently causing fan concern, to Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz

Originally posted on the Boy Hotspur | By The Boy | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 9:09 AM ET

Xavi Simons is a player who has captured the imagination of fans, who understandably adore his attacking edge, keen passing vision, and true grit.

Thomas Frank, speaking ahead of the Monaco, commented on Xavi Simons’ integration into the team, drawing a direct parallel to Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz. Both players made high-profile moves from the Bundesliga to the Premier League this summer. Simons is joining Spurs from RB Leipzig for an initial £51.8 million in late August, and Wirtz is transferring from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool in a club-record £100 million deal.

Frank highlighted the adjustment challenges, noting that Simons has shown “glimpses” of his undoubted talent but is still acclimating to a new country, club, city, and the intensity of English football.

“It’s a very good comparison as Wirtz is also a good player and just like Xavi, he has come into a new country, new club, new city and needs to settle—it’s part of it.

We are all getting judged every game but we also need to see the bigger perspective.

I always look for glimpses and with Xavi, I asked him to arrive more in the box and when I looked back at the game, he did.

Was there a big eye-catching moment? No, but there were glimpses so it’s going a little bit in the right direction.”

Frank clearly remains optimistic about Simons unlocking his “flair” potential soon—much like how Wirtz dazzled in Germany before this transitional phase. Xavi is the same age as Wirtz, and has followed a similar pattern. Simon’s 1 assist in 10 appearances; deployed as No. 10 after starting on the left wing; no goals yet, but Frank notes improved off-ball movement…. Wirst had a tough interaction phase with zero goals/assists in 10 matches; adapting to Arne Slot’s system after being a Bundesliga star, where he knocked up 16 goals, 14 assists in his last season.

This article first appeared on the Boy Hotspur and was syndicated with permission.

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