Summer signing Xavi Simons is now three games into life at Tottenham Hotspur, an attacking talent who Thomas Frank was very keen to bring to N17.
Tottenham paid a large sum to recruit Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, and perhaps he can be seen as the club’s alternative to Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze – two number tens they failed to sign.
But either way, the Dutchman should be a hit in north London, and Joao Palhinha has already praised Simons at Tottenham.
However, after starting on the bench during Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, Simons actually played in a different position for Frank after coming on.
During starts against West Ham United and Villarreal, Simons played as a left winger, but versus Brighton, the 22-year-old came on as the number 10.
Xavi Simons impresses in a new role for Tottenham against Brighton
That being said, Tottenham boss Frank commented on Simons’ display when speaking at his post-Brighton press conference.
And after lauding Simons’ efforts, Frank was then asked about Simons’ best role in attack.
Commenting on the midfielder’s impact from the bench, Frank said: “Very very pleased with that, I think Xavi came in and did exactly what we thought he could do in that ten position.
“I think he of course had a good pre-season and he played two games in Germany and all that, but he’s still coming into a team and all that, and I think on any other day he’d score a goal – he got a great finish on the first one – great save from Verbruggen.
“The other one he mistimes, and I think actually maybe he could have assisted Richy – where Lucas takes the ball, he doesn’t see him.”
The Tottenham manager was then asked if the number ten role was more natural for Simons, to which he replied: “I think he can play both.
“I think he can easily play as a left winger that can go more inside, I also think he can do the wide position, sometimes the playmakers they drift to the side because there’s no space in the middle.
“So I think he can do that, but [as a] ten I think obviously he can play there as well.”
Randal Kolo Muani might get his opportunity vs Doncaster Rovers
In terms of Spurs’ new signings getting chances against Brighton, on loan Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani failed to make the squad.
Speaking after full-time, Frank confirmed that Kolo Muani was missing owing to a slight injury, but he might be ready to take his chance in the EFL Cup in midweek.
Frank said: “Kolo Muani got a dead leg unfortunately – that kept him out of this game. He was actually struggling with it last week. Hopefully he will be available for Wednesday.”
Since signing for Spurs late in the window, Kolo Muani has been on the pitch for 13 minutes in a Tottenham shirt.
But as with Simons, there’s much more to come from the forward, who showcased his rich talent with Juventus on loan last season.