Tottenham Hotspur’s summer signing Xavi Simons is under fire once again, as Dutch pundits continue to question his ability to adapt to the intensity of Premier League football.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who arrived from RB Leipzig in a €65 million deal, was expected to bring flair, creativity, and attacking spark to Tottenham’s midfield.
But after ten games in all competitions, his contribution has been limited to just one assist, and his performances have raised doubts among both analysts and fans.
Dutch football commentator Johan Derksen has been particularly critical of Simons’ displays, suggesting that Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is already growing frustrated with his lack of impact.
Speaking to Vandaag Inside, Derksen did not mince his words, claiming that the young Dutchman has failed to live up to expectations. “Simons is failing at Tottenham,” he said bluntly. “The manager is unhappy with him. He’s a nice indoor player, but you need speed and strength. He lacks that.”
Derksen’s comments came shortly after he compared Simons to Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders, who has settled in impressively since his summer move to England.
According to Derksen, Reijnders has adjusted seamlessly to the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League, while Simons has struggled to find his rhythm. He argued that Simons’ style, which relies heavily on technique and quick combinations, has not translated well in a league known for its physical battles and relentless pace.
Adding to the criticism, fellow pundit René van der Gijp also shared his concerns about Simons’ suitability for the English game. “He lacks strength,” Van der Gijp agreed.
“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.”
It’s not the first time the Dutch media have questioned Simons’ move to Tottenham. His performances at RB Leipzig last season where he scored 11 goals and provided eight assists had made him one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking midfielders.
However, the transition from the Bundesliga to the Premier League has proven far more challenging than expected. The physicality, intensity, and speed of English football appear to have exposed weaknesses in his game that were less noticeable in Germany or the Netherlands.
Derksen’s suggestion that Thomas Frank is unhappy with Simons reflects growing frustration within the Tottenham camp as well.
The club invested heavily in the Dutch international to help fill the creative void left by James Maddison’s absence, but Simons has yet to find the form that made him a standout talent in Europe. His tendency to drift out of games and struggle under physical pressure has been a recurring issue in recent weeks.
Tottenham’s current attacking struggles have only made matters worse for the young midfielder. With the team lacking sharpness in the final third, fans and analysts alike have expected Simons to step up and take responsibility.
Instead, his performances have been inconsistent, often showing flashes of skill but without the decisive end product the team desperately needs.
Derksen, known for his blunt assessments, believes that Simons needs to develop not only physically but mentally if he is to survive in England. He argued that the midfielder must adapt to the relentless tempo of the Premier League where even a second’s hesitation can be costly and learn to impose himself against tougher, more aggressive opponents.
“In the Netherlands, you can get away with tricks and quick passing. In England, that’s not enough,” Derksen noted. “You need to combine skill with power and speed. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to make an impact.”
Despite the harsh criticism, it’s worth remembering that Simons is still only 22 and adjusting to his third major league in as many years.
He has previously shown the talent and mentality to overcome early struggles something Tottenham will be hoping he can replicate in North London. Dutch journalist Süleyman Öztürk has also recently defended the youngster, insisting that he simply needs time to adapt to his new surroundings and the tactical demands of the Premier League.
For now, though, the pressure continues to mount. Tottenham supporters were excited when Simons arrived, viewing him as a potential creative force who could shape the team’s attacking identity for years to come.
But as pundits like Derksen and Van der Gijp continue to question his impact and hint at growing dissatisfaction from the manager, Simons finds himself at a crossroads early in his Tottenham career.
If he can adapt and rise to the physical challenge, there’s still every chance he could become the player Tottenham hoped for. But if he fails to evolve, the narrative of his Premier League adventure may soon shift from promise to disappointment — something neither he nor Thomas Frank can afford at this stage of the season.
