‘Crazy’ – John Wenham notes ‘amazing’ Tottenham situation after Xavi Simons signing
The summer transfer window has slammed shut, and for Tottenham Hotspur, the excitement surrounding their new signing Xavi Simons is only just beginning.
Among the eight new arrivals at the club, the Dutch international’s capture stands out as a particularly brilliant piece of business, a statement of intent that has fans buzzing with anticipation.
For a fee of around £51.8 million, Spurs have not just bought a player; they have invested in a future superstar who is ready to make an immediate impact.
This move became an absolute priority for the club following the devastating news that James Maddison would require surgery on his ACL, an injury that will keep him out for most of the season.
Finding quality cover for such a creative engine was paramount, and in Simons, they have found someone who can not only fill that void but potentially become a long-term upgrade.
The 22-year-old is far from an unproven talent; he arrives with a wealth of experience at the highest level, having already made his mark at PSV, RB Leipzig, and Paris Saint-Germain after coming through the famed La Masia academy at Barcelona.
His statistics from the past two seasons in the Bundesliga are nothing short of sensational. For RB Leipzig, he was a constant threat, contributing to an incredible 44 goals.
Most impressively, 17 of those goal involvements came from just 25 league starts last season alone, a rate of production that is truly elite. This is not a player for the future; this is a player for right now.
The reception he received from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd before the Bournemouth game was a clear sign of how excited the fans are to see him in action.
And according to club insiders, the structure of the deal itself is a masterstroke. As Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham pointed out, the club has not only signed a wonderfully talented player but has also secured his best years with a remarkably long contract.
“He is just an amazing signing because he has the right blend of being that perfect age of just 22, but with so much experience behind him already,” Wenham noted.
“You’re getting a player who’s experienced with still youth on his side. The reports are that Spurs signed a contract that could run until 2032, which is just crazy. So Tottenham are really securing his best years.”
A direct comparison of their most recent league performances shows that while Maddison is a proven Premier League force, Simons brings a different, and in some areas more dynamic, skillset. His ability to drive forward with the ball and create chances is exceptional.
| Stat (per 90) | Xavi Simons | James Maddison |
|---|---|---|
| Goals + Assists | 0.67 | 0.8 |
| Progressive Carries | 3.56 | 2.24 |
| Progressive Passes | 5.86 | 8.16 |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 4.52 | 4.73 |
| Successful Take-Ons | 1.38 | 1.64 |
While Maddison remains a slightly more prolific goal contributor and a more prolific passer, Simons’ numbers reveal a player who is incredibly active in creating havoc for defenses.
His significantly higher number of progressive carries shows he is more likely to take on defenders and advance the ball himself, adding a direct, dribbling threat that complements Maddison’s passing game.
This doesn’t mean Simons is a like-for-like replacement; he is his own unique talent. But his arrival means the team’s creative output doesn’t have to suffer. In fact, it could evolve.
Maddison’s injury record has been a concern for some time, and in Simons, Tottenham may have finally found a brilliant, long-term solution who can shoulder the creative burden for the next decade.
For a club looking to firmly establish itself in the upper echelon of English football, securing a talent of his caliber on such a long-term deal is nothing short of a masterstroke.