Jamie Carragher has shared his honest view on why Xavi Simons is struggling to find his rhythm at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who arrived with big expectations, has found life in the Premier League far more challenging than many anticipated, and Carragher believes the reason is simple he’s not yet adapted to the intensity, pace, and physical demands of English football.
During Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea, Simons had a few glimpses of his natural talent. At one point in the second half, he skillfully escaped a defender with an elegant turn, showing the technical ability that made him one of Europe’s most promising young players.
However, just moments later, he was dispossessed after holding onto the ball for too long a mistake that perfectly illustrated what Carragher pointed out as the major difference between the Premier League and other European leagues.
Speaking live on Sky Sports commentary, Carragher remarked, “You know what, it was fantastic initially, but when you’re in the Premier League, the pace and physicality of players coming back at you… Fantastic skill from Xavi Simons, then he thinks he’s got all the time in the world to run away, but you just don’t have it.”
His comments summed up what many fans have been seeing since Simons’ arrival flashes of brilliance overshadowed by moments of hesitation and a lack of sharp decision-making under pressure.
The Premier League’s relentless tempo has tested many technically gifted players from abroad, and Simons seems to be going through the same adjustment phase. His game against Chelsea reflected those struggles.
According to Sofascore, he lost possession 15 times during the match a stat that speaks volumes about his difficulty in keeping up with the speed and aggression of opponents. It came as no surprise when manager Thomas Frank decided to take him off midway through the second half.
Carragher continued his analysis after Simons’ substitution, saying, “I thought it would be Xavi Simons coming off, it won’t be nice for him, it doesn’t feel the same as he came on so early, but he’s found it tough.
That turn he did was the perfect example he got away from someone, but before you know it, someone is back at him, and that is just the nature of the Premier League.”
The former Liverpool defender also compared Simons’ struggles to those of Florian Wirtz, another Bundesliga talent trying to adapt to English football. “It has been really interesting with him and Wirtz too,” Carragher added. “They’re just finding it tough to get up to the speed of the Premier League.”
Tottenham fans still want to believe in Simons’ potential, but his display against Chelsea did little to boost confidence. The Dutchman’s flair and creativity are undeniable, yet his decision-making and awareness under pressure are clearly lagging behind.
Carragher’s observation highlighted that in England, moments of hesitation can be fatal players have no time to dwell on the ball or think twice, as defenders close down space in seconds.
Beyond Simons’ individual performance, Tottenham as a team endured a frustrating night. The north London club produced an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.10 their lowest in any Premier League game under Thomas Frank.
That statistic underlines how poor they were creatively and how ineffective their attacking patterns have become in recent weeks.
Tottenham’s current attacking lineup is filled with young talent and energy, including Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, Pedro Porro, and Simons himself.
On paper, it’s a group capable of causing real damage, yet the output has been underwhelming. Their movement has looked disjointed, their finishing uncertain, and their transitions slow all signs of a team still searching for its rhythm under a new system.
The absence of James Maddison has also been a massive blow. The playmaker, who was central to Spurs’ creativity earlier in the season, may not return before the campaign ends, and his loss has left a noticeable void in the middle of the park.
Without Maddison’s vision and composure, Tottenham have struggled to create meaningful chances, relying instead on individual moments that rarely materialize.
For Xavi Simons, these challenges are part of his learning curve. His technical gifts are obvious his dribbling, close control, and confidence on the ball show glimpses of why Tottenham invested heavily in him.
But Carragher’s comments emphasize what every talented newcomer must learn: the Premier League demands more than just skill. It demands quick thinking, relentless energy, and the ability to react instantly under pressure.
Simons’ adaptation will take time, but with proper guidance and patience, he has the qualities to thrive. His work ethic, combined with the right coaching from Thomas Frank and support from experienced teammates, could help him grow into the player Spurs hoped he would become.
For now, though, he remains a young star finding his feet in the toughest league in the world a reminder that even the most gifted talents must earn their place in English football through grit, resilience, and consistent performances.
