Joao Palhinha continues to post impressive numbers for Spurs, doing the job he was brought in to do, while Mohammed Kudus has been Tottenham’s best player this season.
However, Xavi Simons is continuing to come under heavy criticism after failing to win over Tottenham fans, and it turns out that some Dutch football experts have also been left unimpressed with his displays this season.
Tottenham told they made a mistake by signing Xavi Simons
Dutch journalist Johan Derksen has now suggested that the 22-year-old does not have the physicality to cope with the demands of Premier League football.
He claimed that the games are passing Xavi by, and the trickery with the ball at his feet that saved him in the Bundesliga is not doing him any favours in England.
Derksen said on the Groeten uit Grolloo podcast about the Tottenham summer signing: “He’s a great player who often used his tricks in the Netherlands. He also performed well in Germany, but in England, they are much stronger physically. If you look at the English league and switch to a different league, it’s completely different.
“You can see that he can’t keep up with the speed of action and is physically weaker. While Tijjani Reijnders doesn’t have that problem, he’s already one of the leading players at Manchester City.”
Thomas Frank is alleged to be frustrated with Xavi
Derksen shared a similar opinion on another platform about the Spurs man, claiming that Frank is not happy with the impact that the Netherlands international has made.
Fellow analyst Rene van der Gijp, suggested that the 22-year-old does not have the level of technical skill required to make up for his lack of physical attributes.
Derksen added about the Tottenham man on Vandaag Inside (as relayed by Mee Met Oranje): “Simons is failing at Tottenham. The manager is unhappy with him. He’s a nice indoor player, but you need speed and strength. He lacks that.”
Van der Gijp responded: “And then his footballing qualities aren’t sufficient. Someone like Gianfranco Zola didn’t have that strength either, but he could play so well. With this guy, it’s just a bit too little.”
- READ MORE: Ashley Young expects much-maligned Tottenham star to live up to ÂŁ52m price tag soon
Have something to tell us about this article?
