The Sun’s Tom Barclay has revealed what he has heard about the relationship between Xavi Simons and Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham.
Xavi produced what was arguably his best performance in a Tottenham shirt against Brighton, delivering a sublime assist and an outstanding goal, but it was not enough to take the Lilywhites to their first league win of 2026.
Spurs fans will be hoping that the performance is a sign of things to come for the Dutchman, who has not found his transition to the Premier League easier since his £51m move from RB Leipzig last summer.
Xavi has said he is enjoying working with De Zerbi, and a journalist has now shared an interesting revelation about the pair’s relationship.
Xavi Simons feels Roberto De Zerbi trusts him more than previous Tottenham managers
De Zerbi has already said that he has a special connection with Xavi, since he too was a number ten during his playing days.
Tom Barclay has now revealed that the pair have already become close and that the attacking midfielder feels the Italian trusts him more than his predecessors did.
Barclay said on the Tottenham Way podcast: “I’ve heard from people quite close to Xavi, that they’ve had quite good connections so far him and De Zerbi. I think Xavi really likes him, and he feels like he’s being counted on maybe more than previous managers.”
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The Netherlands international would have thought he would be the hero for his side last Sunday, and his emotions came pouring out after he had scored Tottenham’s second on 77 minutes.
However, it was Brighton who had the last laugh as Georginio Rutter netted a stoppage-time equaliser, with the attacking midfielder looking distraught at the final whistle.