Tottenham’s hottest player this summer, Xavi Simons, has been criticized by Dutch soccer journalist Johan Derksen. He believes it will be difficult for the young playmaker to cope with the physical demands and pace of the Premier League.
The Dutch international joined Tottenham in a surprise move after the north London club hijacked Chelsea’s move.
They moved quickly to seal a £65m deal with RB Leipzig, with former Spurs forward Timo Werner reportedly playing a role in convincing Simmons to move to London.
However, since arriving in England, the 22-year-old has had a slow start at Tottenham under manager Thomas Frank.
Xavi Simmons’ performances are currently receiving mixed reviews, with several experts questioning whether he can withstand the intensity of English football.
Johan Derksen says Xavi Simons is not physically ready for the Premier League
Appearing on the Groeten uit Grolloo podcast, Derksen gave a candid assessment of why the Dutch international is currently underperforming at Spurs, suggesting that the step up from the Bundesliga was too steep.
His comments, as quoted by Voetbal Zone, focused on the difference in Simmons’ technical ability and physical stature in the English top flight.
“He’s a great player who used a lot of tricks in Holland,” he said. “He did well in Germany, too, but he’s physically much stronger in England. If you look at the English league and move to another league, it’s completely different.”
The veteran journalist argued that Simmons’ struggles were a direct result of this change in intensity. He added: “You can see that he can’t keep up with the speed of the action and he’s not physically strong enough.
“Tijani Lijnders does not have such problems, but he is already one of Manchester City’s key players.”
“Previously, if you were a lightweight with good technique, you could easily hold your position. It’s no longer just your technique that you need to contribute. At the top level, you also need physical strength.”
Why Xavi Simmons feels the Premier League is a tougher challenge than he expected
Simmons showed his creativity in both the Eredivisie and Bundesliga, but his improved strength and physicality in England clearly tested him.
The relentless tempo of the Premier League requires both explosive fitness and physical resilience, two areas the Dutchman may still be developing.
| club | Appearance | the goal | assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| RB Leipzig | 78 | twenty two | twenty four |
| PSV Eindhoven | 48 | twenty two | 11 |
Despite his early struggles, Tottenham are confident the former PSV and Leipzig star will adapt over time.
His close control, vision and versatility could make him a key figure in Spurs’ long-term project if he adapts to the demands of English football.
Seen as a natural successor to Son Heung-min, Simmons offers tactical flexibility and can function effectively across the front three or in a central role in the attacking midfield.
A tabular version of these statistics is below.
| position | Appearance | the goal | assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| left winger | 62 | 18 | 18 |
| attacking midfield | 53 | twenty two | 18 |
| right wing | 27 | 7 | 6 |
| center forward | 11 | 5 | 6 |
His impressive numbers in each of these positions further underline the quality he brings and suggest he could make a big impact for Tottenham once he permanently settles in.