Jamie Carragher has already seen Tottenham’s new £52m signing live, and the Liverpool legend believes Xavi Simons has all the tools to be a success in north London.
There have been questions about whether Tottenham Hotspur could have approached the summer window differently; yet, the reality is that Thomas Frank’s squad did receive significant reinforcements.
Six new players arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, including a late deadline day deal that saw Randal Kolo Muani join on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, pushing the club’s overall spending to £170.6m.
Amongst those new arrivals, several stand out as players expected to make an immediate impact, with Xavi Simons in particular catching the eye, and it is this signing that has already earned praise from Jamie Carragher.
Jamie Carragher backs Tottenham signing Xavi Simons
Speaking on Sky Sports about Tottenham’s latest recruit, Jamie Carragher was full of praise for Xavi Simons, having previously seen him play up close for the Netherlands youth sides.
Carragher revealed that his own son had faced the midfielder during the summer, and it was in that moment he felt he was watching a player blessed with genuine quality and technical brilliance.
The former Liverpool defender went further, suggesting that while Tottenham supporters will be excited about what Xavi Simons brings, his arrival could place James Maddison’s long-term role under question, with the England international currently sidelined following knee surgery.
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Carragher said: “Xavi Simons. I watched Xavi Simons play against my son in the summer for Holland, and I was in a seat really close to the pitch, and you really get a good feel for a player.
“He’s got great quality, real good ability, listen, I’m going to say hit. He’s going to Spurs, is that the end for your mate Maddison? (to Roy Keane).”
Spurs business earns wider praise
Tottenham’s summer window has not only caught Carragher’s attention but has also drawn recognition elsewhere, with The Athletic naming Joao Palhinha as the signing of the summer across the Premier League.
The Portuguese midfielder joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich, with the deal including an option to make the move permanent for a fee just over £20m, which represents excellent value for a player of his experience and ability.