Tottenham Hotspur fans were buzzing when Xavi Simons arrived for a hefty £52 million this summer. But Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is raising eyebrows, questioning if the Dutch playmaker can truly cut it in the Premier League after a slow start.
Simons' struggles at Spurs
Simons, fresh off an impressive stint at RB Leipzig where he bagged 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 games, was expected to light up North London. Manager Thomas Frank lauded his versatility, finishing ability, and eye for a pass. However, the 22-year-old is yet to find the net in 14 appearances, managing just two assists. This lack of impact has fueled Henry's doubts.
Henry's Bundesliga Bias?
While Henry admits to a possible bias against the Bundesliga, the numbers don't lie. Simons is struggling to replicate his Leipzig form. Is it the physicality of the Premier League? Is he struggling to adapt to a new system? Or is the pressure of the price tag weighing him down?
Tottenham's Europa League triumph last season raised expectations, and the club invested heavily to build on that success. While Mohammed Kudus has hit the ground running, Simons' slow start is a concern. The club considered other options like Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, but ultimately opted for Simons. Now, the pressure is on for him to prove his worth and silence the doubters.
Will Simons turn it around? Only time will tell. But for now, the jury is out on whether he can live up to the hype and justify his hefty price tag.