Tottenham summer signing Xavi Simons endured a difficult Champions League bow for his new club, with The Standard’s Matt Verri rating his display a 5/10 in the narrow 1-0 win over Villarreal. Spurs returned to Europe’s elite competition for the first time in two years, but it was far from a convincing outing for their marquee addition.
Thomas Frank’s side made the perfect start in North London when Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior fumbled Lucas Bergvall’s cross into his own net after just four minutes. Spurs’ defence then took centre stage, with Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur making decisive interventions to preserve the lead.
Simons, however, found the evening less straightforward. Deployed on the left wing, the Dutchman struggled to influence proceedings consistently and was fortunate not to be sent off after a clumsy foul on Nicolas Pepe while already on a booking. Though he showed glimpses of quality in tight spaces, the 24-year-old failed to stamp his authority on the contest.
Xavi Simons’ ‘unconvincing’ Tottenham debut in Europe
Journalist Matt Verri summed up the frustrations of Simons’ performance, highlighting both his flashes of ability and his disciplinary risk.
“Lucky not to have been sent off, having brought down Pepe on the counter when already booked. Couple of dangerous efforts when cutting in but largely unconvincing on the left wing.” — Matt Verri, The Standard
Simons’ raw numbers painted a mixed picture: two shots off target, two successful dribbles from four attempts, and 25 completed passes from 33. Yet he failed to deliver a single accurate cross across his 77 minutes before being replaced by Brennan Johnson.
Spurs boss urges patience with Simons and Spence link-up
Frank noted that both Simons and full-back Djed Spence are still building chemistry on the left side. Against Villarreal, their partnership looked disjointed, though the manager remains optimistic.
“I think it was a step forward against West Ham offensively,” Frank said. “That is definitely the area where we need to get better, but it’s also a little bit the relationship. So Djed Spence and Simons, it’s their second game together. Too many times they played it too short, or into feet. So, there’s something in that definitely.”
Simons had looked sharper in the weekend’s 3-0 Premier League win over West Ham, where he registered an assist for Pape Matar Sarr. His adaptation to the Premier League appears to be progressing, though the Champions League demands a greater level of consistency.
Xavi Simons 2025/26 season stats so far
| Stat (2025/26) | Xavi Simons |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 2 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Chances Created | — |
| Pass Accuracy | ~76% |
source: sofascore match data – 16 September 2025
The statistics underline a mixed start: a creative spark in domestic football, but less impact in Europe. His adjustment to Tottenham’s system and his discipline will be key factors moving forward.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Simons’ struggles are part of the learning curve:
“Adapting to the Champions League pace and Premier League physicality simultaneously is no easy task. Simons clearly has the talent — he can glide past players and pick passes — but his decision-making under pressure will need to improve. Spurs fans must be patient.”
William added: “With Thomas Frank, there will be tactical flexibility. Simons can play centrally as well as wide left, and perhaps moving him inside could unlock his best form. The Villarreal game was tough, but it’s far too early to draw major conclusions.”
Key Insights
- Tottenham beat Villarreal 1-0 thanks to a Luiz Junior own goal.
- Xavi Simons struggled and was rated 5/10 by The Standard.
- The Dutchman had two shots off target and no accurate crosses.
- Thomas Frank backed him to develop a better link with Djed Spence.
- Simons already has one assist in the Premier League this season.
What’s Next for Tottenham and Simons?
Tottenham’s Champions League group campaign continues with a trip to face RB Salzburg next week. For Simons, it represents another opportunity to show why Spurs invested heavily in him this summer. His ability to recover from a shaky home debut will be watched closely by supporters.
Domestically, Spurs face Premier League schedule in the coming weeks, with matches against [Brighton] and [Wolves] on the horizon. If Simons can rediscover his Leipzig form, he could become a vital asset in both competitions.
👉 Do you think Xavi Simons should stay on the left wing for Spurs — or be moved centrally to get the best out of him?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 17 Sep 2025 08:19
He's not a winger, but Frank doesn't play with a 10.
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