Player Profile: Xavi Simons

Early Foundations

Born in Amsterdam in 2003, Xavi Simons started his journey with football stitched into his DNA. Named after Barça legend Xavi Hernández, he joined La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy, at just seven years old, where his vision, composure, and technical polish quickly turned heads.

A bold move to Paris Saint-Germain followed—an opportunity to integrate into elite men’s football. Although first-team chances were limited in Paris, those years helped him acclimate to high-level professionalism. His breakout came at PSV Eindhoven in the 2022–23 season, where he delivered 19 league goals in 34 appearances and 3 assists, totalling 22 goal contributions across all competitions—an extraordinary return for a teenager.

A transfer to RB Leipzig in 2023 raised the competitive bar again. In back-to-back Bundesliga seasons, he notched up 8 goals and 11 assists in 32 games (2023–24), followed by 10 goals and 6 assists in 25 games (2024–25), cementing his reputation as a balanced creator and finisher.

By 2025, his rise had caught attention across Europe—Tottenham Hotspur secured his signing in a high-profile move, signaling their intent to inject youthful creativity into a rebuilding project under Thomas Frank.

Playing Style and Role

Simons embodies the modern hybrid midfielder—equally adept as a central playmaker or inverted wide option. His trademark traits include:

• Ball-Carrying: Compact, agile, and confident dribbler who navigates tight areas with ease.
• Creativity: Sharp vision, crisp passing, and well-timed through balls make him a constant threat between the lines.
• Scoring Threat: He thrives on arriving late into the box and finishes with authority— he's ambitious, but effective.
• Work Ethic: His pressing, tracking back, and defensive awareness make him more than just an offensive flair piece.

At Spurs, he brings the dual capacity to break lines creatively or act as a dynamic connector—attributes well-suited to Thomas Frank’s energetic and forward-thinking setup.

Numbers Behind the Movement: Xavi Simons' Statistical Profile

Here are the most eye-catching metrics from Simons' recent seasons, cited essay-style:

• League Appearances:
  • Total senior league appearances across PSG, PSV, Leipzig, and Spurs (to date) stand at 99—comprising 7 for PSG, 34 for PSV, 58 for Leipzig, and none yet for Tottenham.
  • Total league goals: 37 (PSV 19; Leipzig 18).
• Creative & Ball Progression Metrics (Bundesliga, 2024–25):
  • Progressive Carries: 3.56 per 90 minutes (81st percentile) (FBref).
  • Progressive Passes: 5.79 per 90 minutes (87th percentile) (FBref).
• Goal Contributions at Leipzig:
  • 2023–24: 8 goals + 11 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances.
  • 2024–25: 10 goals + 6 assists in 25 Bundesliga appearances.
  • Total with Leipzig: 18 goals, 17 assists in 58 league games.
• International Career:
  • 28 caps and 5 goals for the Netherlands senior team.

Tottenham Move: A Defining Step

Simons’ transfer to Tottenham in summer 2025 not only highlights his rising star status but also signals Spurs’ ambition for creative leadership in midfield. Under Thomas Frank, Simons is expected to be a key connector and spark—a player who can dictate tempo, unlock defences, and inject forward thrust into Spurs’ attack.

The Road Ahead

The Premier League’s pace and physicality will be a new frontier for Simons, but his technical calibre and tactical polish suggest he’s ready. His ability to craft, press, and finish—with reliable consistency—can make him one of the league’s most impactful midfielders over the coming years.

At 22, Xavi Simons is more than a prodigy. He’s a modern midfield conductor, orchestrating play with poise, purpose, and precision. Tottenham haven’t just signed a rising talent—they’ve secured a potential cornerstone for future success.