Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank shocked fans by benching arguably his most talented player and inarguably his most expensive summer signing, Xavi Simons, in two of the most important games of the season back to back. Frank, out of nowhere, discarded Simons against both Arsenal and PSG, with the Lilywhites losing both games by a combined score of 9-4.
Now, obviously, losing 5-3 to PSG is a lot better than losing 4-1 to Arsenal, and Spurs were lined up much better against the Parisians with Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Pape Matar Sarr all getting starting opportunities against the reigning Champions League and Ligue 1 winners.
However, Spurs clearly missed Simons in both games. Maybe they could have beaten PSG with that extra attacking oomph from their main central playmaker, and they probably would have created significantly more against Arsenal with Simons in there, too.
Thomas Frank hasn't been doing what's best
Granted, Simons hasn't done much this season with no goals and a measly assist in the Premier League, but he's still adjusting. He's not someone Spurs can, should, or can even afford to give up on, given what is invested in him and he the game breaking talent he has.
Frank seems to have a vendetta against Simons and isn't using him correctly, instead benching him in the big games as opposed to facilitating tactics to bring this unique weapon into the game. But as he told reporters ahead of the upcoming Premier League rivalry clash against London side Fulham, Frank isn't chalking up Simons as a flop, but rather a Premier League newcomer who is still adjusting.
The Danish manager said, via The Spurs Web, âXavi has been fine. As weâve seen with other players coming into the Premier League for the first time from other leagues, itâs not straightforward in any way. Itâs a completely natural part of the development or adjustment to the league. Different games, different abilities, so yeah.â
In the same time span that he has struggled with Spurs, Simons has played very well for the Netherlands national team. And he was an exceptional player for PSV and RB Leipzig in all the competitions he played in, including the Europa League and Champions League. So the idea that he isn't good enough for the Premier League is a complete fallacy.
As with Florian Wirtz in Liverpool, Simons just needs a bit of time. He will come good. And Frank can help that by giving him the ball more and not isolated him tactically, as opposed to benching him. Frank sounds like he is on Simons's side, and it also sounds like he's ready to give the Dutchman another run in the starting lineup again, which Spurs fans will hope to see.