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Player Xavi Simons

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InBK said:
I guess like Son too, but point being the position he ultimately takes up in the final third is often the same one where Maddison pops up on the left. The most accurate comparison is probably Eze, but didn’t want to mention his name.
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These are pretty much the same players. Simons, Son and Eze will cut in from the left to cause chaos

They are all 'on the end of things', as oppose to creating things. Don't get me wrong though, Simons can be the 'threw ball' provider but that doesn't make him a play maker, like Maddison, de Bruyne etc.

Inside forward like you say. He's still a kid so in the future who knows? Proper exited to have him regardless

Of the two, I think Kudus would be a better 10 than Simons in our league but he is far more effective out wide, like Simons
 
Can we all give this young lad some time to adapt also please and not batter him with pressure with the expectation of hitting the ground running?

Wirtz going through similar at Liverpool. Some players take time to adapt.

Drogba and Son being obvious examples.
 
James Cook said:
Can we all give this young lad some time to adapt also please and not batter him with pressure with the expectation of hitting the ground running?

Wirtz going through similar at Liverpool. Some players take time to adapt.

Drogba and Son being obvious examples.
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Hot take but Son’s first season wasn’t that bad, especially considering he got plantar fasciitis within his first 5 games (in which he scored 3; 2 vs Qarabag and 1 vs Palace).

13 G/A in your first season in a country where you don’t speak the language, struggling with a sneakily bad injury, and you’re seen as squad depth because you don’t press as well as someone who scores far less than you? Not bad imo.
 
DadHeungMin said:
Hot take but Son’s first season wasn’t that bad, especially considering he got plantar fasciitis within his first 5 games (in which he scored 3; 2 vs Qarabag and 1 vs Palace).

13 G/A in your first season in a country where you don’t speak the language, struggling with a sneakily bad injury, and you’re seen as squad depth because you don’t press as well as someone who scores far less than you? Not bad imo.
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Son wanted to go back to Germany after his first season. Took Poch to persuade him otherwise.
 
I think providing frank sticks with the 4231 he will play at 10. Receiving the ball in the half spaces and carrying it forwards as he does so well. Hes also got a thunderous strike on him.

He will also play on the left and maybe as a left sided 8 in a 433.
 
New interview with Xavi from the Netherlands.

Frank presented Simons with a detailed presentation during their first meeting. “A lot of positive things came out of that. And he was also honest about the things I still need to improve. Which points those are, I’ll keep to myself. But I also really like the way the coach sees football. Playing attacking football and immediately pressing after losing the ball. If you look at the teams that have been successful in recent years: they all do it this way.”

There’s more: “Also the way he deals with players and how he wants to make us better. For me, the coach envisions an important role as an attacking midfielder. Starting from the left side and from there having the freedom to move into the middle. And I have to help the team with goals and assists. I play with flair and creativity and want to fight for my team. I think this is the right place for me.”

His feeling for Spurs was strengthened in other ways as well. “The whole club gave me a good feeling. When I was there, I also ran into Micky van de Ven. He told me all kinds of positive things. And Micky said: We need you, just come here. That’s nice too, of course. The whole vibe was just good. Before I made my decision, my family went to the stadium to have a look. My little sister’s reaction was amazing. I’m glad that they are happy too.”
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So seems like those of us who thought he would play centrally are wrong. He has been told by Frank he will play coming in from the left.

Indicates that Frank intends to play with 3 CMs. And Muani will be playing as a striker.

But I guess Frank could still move him centrally if he thinks it will work better.
 
Just to add some further thoughts on to that. If Xavi is playing from the left and coming in central. And we have a right footed Spence playing LB, we will have a serious lack of width on the left side of the pitch and no overlapping runners.

I just wonder how this works in practice.

I still think we would have better balance with Xavi centrally, and an Odobert out left or something like that.

I am not sure we need three CMs and only 3 creative / attacking players.

To me that seems a bit overly defensive unless we are up against the very best sides.
 
Aphex said:
New interview with Xavi from the Netherlands.



So seems like those of us who thought he would play centrally are wrong. He has been told by Frank he will play coming in from the left.

Indicates that Frank intends to play with 3 CMs. And Muani will be playing as a striker.

But I guess Frank could still move him centrally if he thinks it will work better.
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That makes complete sense considering the options we have.

What we DO NOT have
- 2 better wingers than him (!)
- good enough selection of CMs that could achive closing down opposition and playing good forward passes as double-pivot

So I think the best balance for most games can be achieved when we use either -

--Xavi--Muani--Kudus-
---------Bergvall-------
--Sarr--Benta or Palh--

In that setup we have highest possible amount of players that aim to dictate the game, opposed to players like Johnson (that can only finish off chances created by others).
 
TheSpurEst said:
That makes complete sense considering the options we have.

What we DO NOT have
- 2 better wingers than him (!)
- good enough selection of CMs that could achive closing down opposition and playing good forward passes as double-pivot

So I think the best balance for most games can be achieved when we use either -

--Xavi--Muani--Kudus-
---------Bergvall-------
--Sarr--Benta or Palh--

In that setup we have highest possible amount of players that aim to dictate the game, opposed to players like Johnson (that can only finish off chances created by others).
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Yeah, But also, it could well be he starts centrally but drifts left to find pockets of space and then comes inside. Similar to what Maddison does.

I just can't imagine Frank would want to play without genuine width and someone that can go on the outside.

It will obviously be dependent on opposition, and it's good that Frank has options now. But then he does start Johnson LW who doesn't go outside, so....

Interesting to see how Frank sets up.
 
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