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As Tottenham Hotspur enjoy the highs of Europa League triumph, the Lilywhites find themselves sifting through slip candidates for possible transfers now given how qualifying for the Champions League opens doors for a new level of talent at N17, and Dutch sensation Xavi Simons has been the subject of links with a move to the Premier League heavyweights of late. He is one of the players who has that capacity to change the game in one moment, and you combine that with his technical qualities, and you get a player that raises not just the ceiling but the floor of the current roster.
The North Londoners are planning to sign Simons in the upcoming summer transfer window, with the whole cost of the transaction expected to aggregate towards €80 million. Spurs are facing competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool. The presence of the Premiership champions does make it a tricky task for Tottenham to sign him, but their recent success can push Levy to make the 24-year-old believe in the project at N17.
How can Ange use Xavi?
Given his talent, you can use him in multiple ways: you can slot him in the left wing or even as an advanced playmaker. By how Ange likes his interiors, the Australian also has an option to deploy him as a wide interior in a 2-3-5. In the latter role, he can easily rotate with Maddison centrally or even play as a wide 10, drifting inside.
Simons brings with him a press-resistant presence in Tottenham’s frontline, and given that he can play in that left interior lane, the Dutchman can combine with Udogie and also link effectively with Solanke or Gyökeres (if signed). The La Masia academy graduate had that ability to float between lines and change the tempo of the sequences, which ends up complementing Maddison and ends up making space for interior rotations, which is in line with how Postecoglou likes to play.
Given that Tottenham are set to play in the Champions League, Ange can also deploy Xavi in more of a two-creator system besides Maddison when playing in Europe or facing deep blocks.
Xavi Simons to Tottenham – a SWOT analysis
Strengths
He brings a lot of European experience to the squad despite his young (22-year-old) age, given how he has played in the Champions League with PSG while also featuring in high-level Bundesliga games with Leipzig. He knows the high-tempo and high-pressing environments that it takes to play in such games, and best of all, he doesn’t seem to fade out of games under intensity.
His versatility will also be a massive plus for Ange, given that he can throw the Dutchman in multiple roles given his flexibility, which allows him to rotate with James Maddison, while his ability to play on the left can push him to cover for Son.
Weakness:
The transfer is set to be expensive at around €80 million, and it is unheard of for the North Londoners to fork out such cash for anyone.
Moreover, while he is highly technical, Simons doesn’t always come through in the counter-pressing side of things, which may force Ange’s structure to carry the Dutchman off the ball.
Opportunities:
If Tottenham do end up signing Simons, it will be a transfer that takes on the headlines. Making it one of the biggest moves that Tottenham have made. And given his age and experience, he also has the capacity to be a part of the leadership group at Tottenham.
Threats:
There is competition from clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal for his signatures, which will make it difficult for Levy to secure his signatures.
Author Opinion
Xavi Simons is a player that brings a lot of dynamism to this side. His technical elegance can help him fit finely under Ange Postecoglou’s playing style. The former PSG man is a creator who comes in without compromising on the system, and he can also play in that left #8 role where Maddison has struggled. If the finances of the deal can be met by Levy, then he is definitely a player Tottenham should be looking at.
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