Roberto De Zerbi has been left scrambling for ways to replace Xavi Simons, who's set for a lengthy spell in the sidelines.
Four Tottenham Hotspur players could be given the chance to fill Xavi Simons' shoes. The 23-year-old midfielder ruptured the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in his right knee during Saturday afternoon's clash against Wolves, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Roberto De Zerbi had been looking forward to getting to know Simons, claiming they had a 'special connection'. Speaking to SpursPlay earlier this month, the Italian said: "He’s lucky to work with me - not because I'm good, because I was number 10.
"What he thinks now, I thought 20 years ago. So, we have a special connection. I have a special connection with all number 10s I work with. I love a number 10.
"A number 10 has to understand that he has to score and he has to make assists, not just play to be nice to the people – goals and assists," added De Zerbi. "A player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager, and I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs.
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"I was a player, I was number 10, and I think I know what he thinks, because I thought the same when I was a player. I think I'm lucky to have this player on my team, but also he's lucky because with number 10, I can understand better than other coaches."
Simons played only a handful of times under the new Spurs boss but seemed to have turned a corner. The Netherlands international quickly repaid De Zerbi's faith. He scored a goal and provided an assist on his first start.
Simons looked set to play a key role for Tottenham in the race for Premier League survival. Now he's set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. With the Dutchman out of action and top-flight status on the line, the Spurs boss is in a race against time to find a 'special connection' with another playmaker in the squad.
So, with that being said, football.london has looked at four players who De Zerbi could rely on to replace Simons in the middle of the park.
Conor Gallagher
Upon signing a five-year contract with Tottenham, De Zerbi claimed that he wanted to unlock the Conor Gallagher that he 'loved' to watch at Chelsea. The Italian said: "I want to see again the same Gallagher I loved in Chelsea at the time.
"Two parts. One part, the focus on the ball, on the pitch, to put them in the best position, the favourite position they feel, for sure, and the mental part. I think for Gallagher it's not so easy because he left Chelsea after I don't know how many seasons.
"He went to Atletico Madrid, and now in Tottenham, in this moment for Tottenham. He was a leader in Chelsea, and now he has to adapt to a new club, to new team-mates, to a new stadium, to a new everything. I have to help him to put as a target the Gallagher in Chelsea."
Although the 26-year-old has played slightly deeper in the past, and often in a pivot, he enjoyed spells as an attacking midfielder during his time at Chelsea and on loan at Crystal Palace. Gallagher may not have the flair or creativity to solely compensate for Simons' absence, but he'll certainly put in the hard yards.
James Maddison
James Maddison would be the natural replacement for Simons, but he's only recently returned to first-team action. The 29-year-old midfielder, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the summer, has been named in the matchday squad in each of Spurs' last two Premier League games, but he's yet to take to the field.
Lucas Bergvall
And last but by no means least, Lucas Bergvall. Although the 20-year-old midfielder has predominantly played in a pivot since joining Tottenham, he has previously enjoyed receiving the ball on the half-turn and roaming forward.
During Thomas Frank's spell in charge, which, albeit ended in tears, Bergvall relished a more advanced role. Speaking to Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter in October 2025, the youngster discussed his spell in the position: "I’m comfortable with most of the roles in midfield. I’ve been playing more offensively lately, and that’s where I feel best right now."
Luca Williams-Barnett
Although De Zerbi will probably replace Simons with a senior player, regardless of whether it's like-for-like, Luca Williams-Barnett would be quite the wildcard during the end-of-season run-in. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder only made his first-team debut back in September 2025, but he's been electric for the academy this term.
Across the Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League, Williams-Barnett has featured 16 times, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. Until Maddison rebuilds his match fitness, the teenager could be an exciting option for De Zerbi if he doesn't want to reshuffle the pack.