Xavi Simons' move to Tottenham will be a notable deal in the Premier League. The young Dutch talent has long been considered one of the top promising stars in Europe. And Simons has shown those qualities, despite RB Leipzig having just gone through a difficult season.
Simons has some very impressive statistics. He has 10 goals and 7 assists in the Bundesliga, despite RB Leipzig missing the opportunity to participate in the European Cup for the first time since promotion. Simons is also in the top 10 players who scored from open situations and continuously created dangerous opportunities for teammates.
Another statistic highlights Simons' excellence: he is in the top 10 players with the most possession in the final third of the pitch. This shows the comprehensive ability of the young Dutch talent.
That is the reason why the 22-year-old player is being pursued by many big teams. Thomas Frank and Tottenham have been tracking a No. 10 player throughout the summer of 2025, even targeting Morgan Gibbs-White before James Maddison suffered a serious injury. They have energy in midfield, but combining that with individual technique is the key.
There are many talented players, individuals who can make breakthroughs, but finding someone who handles the ball well and plays at high intensity is difficult. However, Simons has proven that ability from the start.
Coach Javier Rabanal, who led Simons at PSV on loan from Paris St-Germain, admitted he did not know what to expect more from a teenager.
"No one really knows. What surprised us was his ability to defend and apply pressure after losing the ball. Simons is very determined in situations of competition and always wants to be the first to put pressure, putting all his effort into each phase" - Rabanal shared.
Rabanal believes that Simons' determination comes from his background. A Dutch international, part of the Suriname, Simons moved to Spain as a child and joined Barcelona's prestigious La Masia academy before entering his teenage years.
In the end, PSG signed him, but the pressing principles from La Masia took the heart of Simons' potential. "This is something that is highly appreciated at Barcelona. He is very determined and recognized by everyone as a top talent" - Rabanal explained.
The season at PSV marked a turning point in Simons' career, allowing him to wear the Dutch national team jersey for the first time. In the 2022 Johan Cruyff Super Cup match against Ajax, Simons scored the winning goal to seal a 5-3 victory over 52,000 spectators in Amsterdam.
In the away match against Go Ahead Eagles, Simons scored twice in a 5-2 win and started playing regularly. He plays in many positions, from winger, center midfielder number 8 to number 10. This player once had an outstanding assist for Fabio Silva with an off-the-shoulder cheek.
In the season-end away match against AZ Alkmaar, when PSV needed a win to secure a place in the Champions League, Simons scored 2 goals. In which, the second goal was scored when PSV only had 10 players on the field.
Impressive performances have helped Simons be signed on loan by Leipzig, where he scored eight goals in his first season. The Dutch international made a big enough impression for the club to turn him into a record mid-season contract, despite the team's decline.
However, at the age of 22, Simons is still an ambitious player that Leipzig can hardly keep. This is the time when opportunities open up for both players and clubs. Tottenham brought a place in the Champions League, while Simons brought creativity in the opponent's half.
