Tottenham Hotspur’s recent performance against Wolves was a frustrating one, culminating in a late draw against the Premier League’s bottom side.
In the aftermath of the match, manager Thomas Frank offered a refreshingly honest assessment of new signing Xavi Simons, admitting that the young player’s time in the number 10 position “didn’t really work.”
This frank admission comes after a quiet evening for Simons, who was ultimately taken off the pitch even as Spurs were desperately searching for a winning goal.
The game saw Simons begin on the left side of the attack, where he struggled to make a significant impact during the first half. In a strategic move to push for a goal, Frank shifted him to a central position just after the hour mark.
However, this change did little to spark the much-needed creativity, as Simons remained largely ineffective before being substituted for Pape Matar Sarr.
Frank’s post-match comments shed light on his thinking. He acknowledged that Simons did have some positive moments, noting the player’s ability to move the ball forward, which resulted in him being fouled multiple times.
However, the manager was quick to add that Simons “was not as sharp” as he could have been, a sentiment he believes the player would agree with himself.
Frank was also pragmatic, pointing out that it’s normal for a new player to take time to settle into a new team and a new league.
He also highlighted that while the team was happy with their previous performance against Brighton, they still need to work on achieving a more “free-flowing” style of play.
When asked specifically about why Simons has not started in a more central role in the Premier League, Frank dismissed the idea that it was because the player hasn’t yet adjusted to the demands of English football.
Instead, he explained that his priority is to find the right balance for the team and to understand how to get the best out of his players.
He made it clear that he is aware of Simons’ capabilities as a number 10, a role he successfully played in a Carabao Cup match and even for a portion of a Premier League game.
However, he admitted that the move against Wolves simply did not pay off. The manager also emphasized that the team’s struggles went beyond just Simons, as the entire squad appeared to be “out of sync” during the latter stages of the match.
Frank concluded by noting that he has to consider the form of other players, such as Rodri and Joao, who have been playing exceptionally well this season, which makes it hard to drop them.
The challenge now for both manager and player is to find a way to consistently integrate Simons’ considerable talent into the team’s attacking blueprint.
