Tottenham’s Xavi Simons Mirrors Florian Wirtz’s Early Struggles, Says Frank
Totteham Hotspur’s manager, Thomas Frank, recently compared the adaptation challenges faced by two prominent young footballers: Xavi Simons and Florian Wirtz. Both players made high-profile transfers from Bundesliga clubs this summer, creating anticipation around their performances in the Premier League.
Xavi Simons and Florian Wirtz: A Comparison of Struggles
Xavi Simons transferred to Tottenham from RB Leipzig for £51 million. In contrast, Liverpool acquired Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a staggering £116 million. Despite these considerable investments, both players have yet to score in their new leagues.
- Xavi Simons: Joined Tottenham for £51 million.
- Florian Wirtz: Transferred to Liverpool for £116 million.
Simons contributed an assist in his debut match against West Ham. However, Frank believes that both players require time to adjust to new environments. He remarked on the importance of patience, as adapting to a new club and league can take time.
Upcoming Challenge Against Monaco
Tottenham is preparing to face AS Monaco in the Champions League. Frank sees this upcoming match as an opportunity for Simons to find the back of the net. He feels that Simons is making progress, despite initial struggles.
Frank stated in the pre-match press conference, “Xavi is trending in the right direction.” His comments highlighted the significance of observing player’s performances over time rather than judging them based on immediate results. He mentioned that practitioners must look for positive glimpses in their play.
Home and Away Form
While Tottenham’s home form has been underwhelming, with only three wins in their last 18 Premier League fixtures, their away performance has been contrastingly strong. Frank noted that the nuances of home versus away games can influence results significantly.
Key Home and Away Statistics
| Metric | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Wins | 3 in last 18 | Unbeaten this season |
Frank elaborated on why Tottenham’s away form has excelled. He suggested that teams tend to play differently on their home ground, allowing Tottenham to capitalize on counter-attacks.
Injuries Ahead of Monaco Clash
For the upcoming match against Monaco, Frank confirmed the absence of defenders Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie due to injuries. Romero is dealing with an abductor strain, while Udogie is coping with knee irritation.
- Cristian Romero: Abductor strain, missed training.
- Destiny Udogie: Knee issue, missed the last match.
Additionally, former Tottenham player Eric Dier will not participate due to a hamstring injury, adding to both teams’ injury woes ahead of this crucial matchup.
Conclusion
As Tottenham prepares to meet Monaco, all eyes will be on Xavi Simons and his potential breakthrough. With the right support and time to adjust, he may soon mirror the success that is expected of both him and Florian Wirtz.
