Tottenham Hotspur are entering a defining period in their Premier League campaign, and the big question remains can they keep up their strong start to the season?
After collecting 14 points so far, Spurs currently sit third in the table. Their latest outing before the international break saw them seal a 2-1 win over Leeds United, with Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus finding the back of the net. That victory set a positive tone, but the fixtures ahead will test Thomas Frank’s side to the fullest.
Aston Villa’s visit to North London on Sunday marks the beginning of a challenging run of matches. Tottenham will follow that with a trip to Everton, then home clashes against Chelsea and Manchester United before facing Arsenal away.
It’s a brutal stretch that could define their campaign, and to come through it successfully, Frank must find a creative spark in his team someone capable of delivering moments of magic much like Dele Alli did during his best years at the club.
Dele Alli’s story is one of both brilliance and heartbreak. Once regarded as one of the brightest midfielders in world football, his decline has been steep.
Now 29 and recently released by Italian side Como after making just one brief appearance, he finds himself far from the heights of his Tottenham prime.
During his peak years under Mauricio Pochettino, Dele was electric he scored, created, and entertained. With 269 appearances and 126 goal involvements for Spurs, he was instrumental in the club’s rise to prominence.
Pochettino called him “one of the most talented players in England,” while Harry Kane once described him as “unbelievable” for his knack of arriving in the box like a striker. That rare combination of midfield creativity and goal-scoring instinct made him special.
Tottenham now need a player who can fill that creative void, and Xavi Simons may be the one to do it. Following James Maddison’s devastating ACL injury during pre-season against Newcastle, Spurs were desperate for a new playmaker.
Their pursuit of Eberechi Eze failed, but they secured a major coup in signing Dutch international Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig for £52 million.
The 21-year-old, once a prodigy at PSG, built his reputation during a stunning loan spell at PSV Eindhoven where he scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in the 2022/23 campaign.
His flair, intelligence, and technical skill have earned him praise from across Europe, with football scout Jacek Kulig calling him a “game changer.”
At RB Leipzig, Simons continued to grow, and his market value has now reportedly soared to £97 million. Since joining Spurs, he has featured in all four of their last Premier League matches, starting three.
Although he has yet to score for Tottenham, he did record an assist on his debut against West Ham. His impact goes beyond goals his creativity and ball progression stand out when you look at the numbers.
Below is a table summarizing Simons’ early Tottenham stats this season:
| Stat | Simons | Spurs Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 9 | 5th |
| Shots per 90 | 1.94 | 4th |
| Shot-creating actions | 9 | 5th |
| Attempted take-ons | 18 | 3rd |
| Progressive carries | 16 | 5th |
| Carries into final third | 12 | 3rd |
These numbers prove that Simons is making an impact even without the goals or assists to show for it. The problem, however, lies in his positioning. Much of his playing time has come on the left wing an area where he is less effective.
His natural game thrives in central areas where he can dictate play, combine with forwards, and make late runs into the box.
Against Leeds, Frank finally deployed Simons through the middle, flanked by Kudus and Odobert, with Tel leading the attack. The team looked far more fluid, with Simons influencing play in dangerous zones.
This tactical setup should become the standard moving forward, especially in games where Spurs are expected to dominate possession. In contrast, their 1-1 draw against Wolves showed the downside of using Simons out wide.
That match saw Tottenham look too conservative, with Palhinha and Bentancur anchoring the midfield, leaving little creative spark in attack.
Simons is not just a passer he’s a direct goal threat. Last season, he scored ten goals in the Bundesliga, the second-highest total among midfielders, behind only Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
This underlines what Tottenham could gain by giving him more freedom to roam and attack centrally. He possesses that same fearless instinct that once made Dele Alli unstoppable in his prime.
If Thomas Frank gives Simons the freedom to play his natural game, Tottenham might rediscover the attacking unpredictability that defined their best years under Pochettino.
The team has the structure, the energy, and the balance now they need that one player to break lines, take risks, and deliver goals from midfield. Xavi Simons has the talent to become that figure.
Tottenham’s next few fixtures could make or break their season, and much of their success may depend on whether Frank unleashes Simons in a central role.
If used right, he could not only fill the creative gap left by Maddison but also bring back the excitement that Spurs fans have long been craving.
