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Xavi Simons failed to pull up any trees after being played out of position for the Netherlands against Poland, with the new Tottenham signing coming in for plenty of criticism from the media back in his home country.

Spurs fans will have to wait until after the international break to watch their brand-new £51m signing in a Tottenham shirt for the first time.

Simons has made it clear that he prefers playing as a number ten, but the 22-year-old has also been used on the left by RB Leipzig.

However, Ronald Koeman decided to use him in a role which is alien to the attacker against Poland on Friday and the Spurs man struggled to impact the game.

Dutch media did not like what they saw from Xavi Simons

Koeman decided to use Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo on the left side, with Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders operating as the number 10. He thus decided to use Simons on the right of a front three.

The Tottenham Hotspur man did try to occupy the half-spaces on the right, with Denzel Dumfries overlapping from right-back to give the Oranje width, but the young attacker struggled to influence the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Voetbal Primeur rated Simons at 5.5 out of 10 and wrote about his performance: “Was supposed to be a right winger, but by cutting inside a lot, he effectively functioned as a second striker. That didn’t work out so well. Simons had little to no say in the matter.”

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Algemeen Dagblad went with a 5 out of 10 rating, writing: “Spurs’ new signing had to make his mark this time on the right wing, replacing the injured Frimpong.

“Before halftime, he lost possession twice, giving Poland a counter-attack. His shot, delivered by Memphis Depay, also failed to make it 2-0. He was later substituted for Malen.”

Voetbal International rated Simons at just 5.5 out of 10, while Voetbalzone handed him just 4 out of 10.

Simons will get to play his favoured role at Tottenham

It will not be fair to judge the young attacker too harshly, given the position he was playing in. One would expect Simons to be handed his favoured number ten role at Tottenham.

With James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski on the treatment table, Simons will get a run in the side in the central role, and Spurs fans will be hoping that he can make the position his own.

Pedro Porro has shut down questions over whether Tottenham Hotspur deserve a place in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

During the business end of last season, there was plenty of chatter about whether the Europa League winners truly deserve a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur, who were dreadful in the Premier League and finished a dismal 17th, managed to secure their return to Europe’s top table after beating Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao, Spain.

It was a landmark moment for Tottenham, ending their 17-year wait for silverware and sealing a long-awaited ticket back into the Champions League, where their campaign is set to begin later this month.

Pedro Porro insists Tottenham deserve Champions League spot

Pedro Porro has made it clear that Tottenham deserve their place in the Champions League this season, and in an interview with ABC (as relayed by Sport Witness), he addressed questions over the manner in which Spurs qualified for Europe’s elite competition.

The Spanish full-back admitted that Tottenham’s struggles in the league were difficult to take, explaining that he often felt he was watching two different versions of the same team. However, he remains convinced that Spurs deserve their place in the Champions League.

He said: “We had a very difficult year in the league due to many factors. Things were not going our way, we were not competing as we should have, because I saw two different teams, one in the Premier League and one in the Europa League.

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“In the Europa League, we knew how to compete well, and that paid off. But when you do not compete in a competition like the Premier League, where you have to be at 200% every game, it is difficult.”

“At the end of the season, we won the Europa League and we are going to play in the Champions League this year. We deserve it.”

Thomas Frank begins Tottenham reign as Champions League looms

Tottenham parted ways with Ange Postecoglou despite him delivering on his promise of silverware in his second season, with his dreadful league campaign proving costly.

Thomas Frank has since stepped in, and the Dane has already started to make his mark domestically, guiding Spurs to two wins from their opening three Premier League fixtures.

The new Tottenham boss has never managed in Europe before, and his first taste will come at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Villarreal.

Supporters will be hoping his side can balance their performances both in the league and on the continental stage this term, as Tottenham aims for a much better all-round display this season.

Recent reports have now shown how every Tottenham Hotspur player has been rated in EA FC 26, with James Maddison being the club’s top-rated star.

Tottenham Hotspur were largely underwhelming last season, yet they managed to salvage something from a disappointing campaign by lifting the Europa League trophy, which provided a glimmer of positivity amidst the inconsistency.

Former boss Ange Postecoglou paid the price for that poor form, as he was dismissed at the end of the season, with Thomas Frank stepping into the hot seat during the summer of 2025.

The Dane has already set about reshaping the side, and his early work has yielded encouraging signs, with Tottenham winning two of their first three Premier League fixtures under his management.

Tottenham player ratings leaked for EA FC 26

Despite their struggles last term, this Tottenham squad still boasts plenty of quality, and football fans who enjoy gaming will no doubt be keen to test out the Europa League champions when the latest edition of EA’s FC 26 is released.

According to leaks published by Futmind, Tottenham’s player ratings for the upcoming game have surfaced, although these are subject to change before the official release, and therefore should be taken with some caution.

Nevertheless, the leaked figures suggest that James Maddison leads the way as the club’s highest-rated player with an overall of 84, followed by Dejan Kulusevski on 83. A cluster of players, including Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario and Micky van de Ven, are all rated at 82.

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New signing Mohammed Kudus is rated 80, while Xavi Simons is level with Maddison, coming in at 84 in FC 26. Meanwhile, Joao Palhinha, who joined Tottenham on loan this season, has received a rating of 83.

Tottenham EA FC 26 leaked player ratings

Tottenham women’s EA FC 26 leaked ratings

EA are once again set to include the women’s game, and Tottenham’s women’s side has also had their leaked ratings revealed, with Neville standing out as the highest rated at 83, followed by England, who is given an 82 overall.

Daniel Levy is no longer the Executive Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, which provides Spurs with both potential issues and new opportunities.

Tottenham Hotspur left their supporters in disbelief as it was announced that Daniel Levy was stepping down as Spurs chairman after 24 years.

Levy oversaw the reign of 14 permanent Tottenham managers and during his time in the role, Spurs won the League Cup and the Europa League.

Many supporters have been calling on Levy to resign for years, while others believe he is to thank for transforming the club. With all the pros and cons of his departure weighed up, it is time to take a look at the three things Spurs will lose and gain from Levy’s exit.

Tottenham will lose stability with Daniel Levy gone

Say what you want about Daniel Levy, but Spurs have never faced FFP or PSR problems, which teams such as Manchester City and Aston Villa are experiencing. There was the one incident involving Jermaine Defoe’s move to Portsmouth in 2008 which could have landed Spurs in hot water, but Levy has largely kept a steady ship at Tottenham.

Without Levy, there is the risk of losing the stability he brought and the timing of his departure is unusual. Tottenham have only recently begun a new season and a switch of chairman could cause some disruption.

However, losing Levy is not all bad, specifically due to three more reasons.

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Daniel Levy had a wealth of experience

Some Tottenham supporters may not always have liked what Levy was doing, but at least he knew what he was doing. Levy has always worked towards specific goals and objectives and has carried out a plan he formulated over many years.

Being the chairman of one of the biggest football clubs is not an easy task, but you learn things along the way. Levy had 24 years to build up his knowledge and grow into the role.

Peter Charrington is an experienced businessman, but his career in football only began in March when he was named as the club’s non-executive director. He will now take on the role as non-executive chairman, which has the potential to throw some curveballs, even with his business acumen.

Levy has been a tough negotiator at Spurs

The fact that Levy is a tough negotiator can actually be a bad thing. After all, his adamance of refusing to pay Crystal Palace a little extra money for Eberechi Eze is seemingly one of the main reasons Spurs lost out to Arsenal.

However, Levy had a reputation for playing hardball when it came to selling players. He often helped Tottenham generate more revenue by demanding a high price, but sometimes he took things up a notch.

Spurs do not tend to part ways with players easily, and much of that is to do with Levy. He always held onto Tottenham’s best players for as long as possible. The likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son both left with just one year remaining on their contracts, despite how much interest they attracted in the years leading up to their departures.

Tottenham can mend broken relationships with other clubs

Levy made himself one or two enemies this summer, specifically Steve Parish and Evangelos Marinakis. Spurs raided Nottingham Forest for Brennan Johnson not so long ago, but it is hard to see how any business transactions would have taken place between the clubs after the Gibbs-White incident.

However, with Levy out of the way, Tottenham can improve their relationships with these teams. There is also the club’s legal battle against INEOS which will likely have caused issues with Manchester United. A new chairman might be able to mitigate any damage this has caused.

Spurs can be more ambitious and get supporters onside

Tottenham have often been the masters of their own downfall under Levy. For him, consistency was important, perhaps even more so than absolute success. Spurs finished in the top four for four consecutive seasons under Pochettino and Levy seemed happy working towards maintaining that position, rather than going a step further.

The lack of spending from Spurs in certain transfer windows has been a key cause of frustration for the supporters, but this is not the only thing. Levy has been out of touch with large sections of the fanbase over recent years, from failing to properly support a singing section to scrapping concession tickets and raising prices all around.

Tottenham supporters need to feel like they are getting what they pay for. Spurs without Levy can either show more ambition and give them good value for their money, or accept they are happy not winning titles and adjust ticket prices accordingly.

Tottenham Hotspur are entering a new chapter that could reshape the way the club approaches transfers, following Daniel Levy‘s recent exit.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to embark on a new era with former club chairman Daniel Levy having stepped down days after the British transfer window slammed shut.

Levy has been the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League, but his 25-year reign at Tottenham has ended, following the club’s Europa League triumph.

Spurs are now expected to show some ambition, and it is claimed that Daniel Levy’s departure is expected to help them reach the heights they have long been chasing.

Tottenham to adjust transfer strategy after Daniel Levy exit

Writing on Flashscore, journalist Dean Jones is now reporting that there is set to be a change in Tottenham’s transfer strategy following the exit of Daniel Levy.

It is understood that at the board level, the club’s focus is now shifting to transfers, and a big name is already being whispered, Rafael Leao.

It is claimed that in the final days of the summer window, Spurs made an ambitious enquiry for the AC Milan forward, but at the time, the move felt out of reach, with Milan valuing the winger at over £100 million (€117m).

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However, Tottenham Hotspur’s desire to test the waters is now being seen as significant following the departure of Levy.

Spurs expected to pursue marquee signings in new era

Of course, during Daniel Levy’s 25 years as chairman, Spurs often prioritised shrewd signings, where they did not often tend to splash the cash, but that could change now as Tottenham are understood to be eyeing a marquee addition.

Whether their statement signing turns out to be Rafael Leao or not remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Tottenham are daring to think bigger, looking for a poster boy rather than a stopgap.

With a fresh strategy expected to take shape over the next two years, fans are now being told to expect more of the same calibre of names on future shortlists.

Johan Lange has explained why Tottenham Hotspur had to delay some of their transfer business until very late in the transfer window, and has hinted that the club may have benefited from being snubbed by Eberechi Eze.

Tottenham’s search for a number ten was protracted, and the Lilywhites missed out on a couple of their top targets in Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White.

However, in the final days of the transfer window, Spurs struck a deal with RB Leipzig for Xavi Simons, who initially appeared to be on his way to Chelsea.

The signing of the Netherlands international is seen as a real coup for the Lilywhites, with Thomas Frank playing a key role in convincing Simons on a move to Spurs.

Johan Lange explains why Tottenham left their business until late

While most Spurs fans are happy with the signings that the club have made this summer, many are frustrated that the club were not able to deliver these signings earlier in the summer.

However, Lange has now explained that some of the players that Tottenham ended up signing only became available at the latter stages of the window.

The Spurs technical director told the club’s official channel: “I think when you go through a transfer period over a few months, for lots of clubs and also for ours, there were bumps along the way.

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“There’s no doubt about that. But it’s not so much if there are bumps along the way because inevitably that will happen. It’s how you react to those challenges you are facing.

“In some aspects here, players that we would have liked to sign earlier in the window were not available, and they were available later in the window. I think when we look back at the end of the window, the outcome has been fantastic for us.”

Lange hints that Spurs are happier with Xavi Simons than Eberechi Eze

While the Dane refused to discuss specifics on who the club missed out on, he admitted that they did have ‘bumps’ along the way.

However, the Spurs technical director insisted that the Lilywhites are over the moon to end up with Simons, revealing that the Dutchman was extremely keen on being part of the project at N17.

Johan Lange added, “As said, if you have a bump along the way, sometimes things can turn out for the better. When we had the conversation with Xavi, I saw his desire and determination to join our football club. It was fantastic for us, because what he has shown so far in his career, from a very, very young age, played together with some of the best players in the world when you really dig into his story.

“The impact he had at Eindhoven, the impact he had at Leipzig in the Bundesliga, and he’s still so young, so when you perform at this level and that age. So to bring him to our football club, to bring him into the Premier League, to bring him into a club which has a rich history of producing and seeing players with creativity and flair. I’m confident that he will be a great addition to the team and hopefully create a lot of fantastic moments for the fans and for all of us.”

Xavi Simons has revealed how a key conversation with Timo Werner proved decisive in his decision to join Tottenham Hotspur, despite interest from Chelsea.

Tottenham Hotspur’s hunt for a creative midfielder this summer saw them circle several targets, with failed moves for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze forcing the club to look elsewhere, but in the final weeks of the window, the search finally ended with the capture of Xavi Simons.

Tottenham’s technical director, Johan Lange, even went as far as to call the move a blessing in disguise, with Tottenham convinced they have secured a player capable of becoming central to Thomas Frank’s project.

Spurs Supporters were introduced to their new number seven before the Premier League clash with Bournemouth, with Simons receiving a warm reception from the stands as he prepares for life in N17.

Xavi Simons explains why he chose Tottenham over Chelsea

Chelsea had shown a strong interest in Simons, but Tottenham moved decisively to avoid missing out on another target, especially after the setbacks earlier in the summer.

Speaking about the role of Timo Werner in his decision, Xavi Simons admitted that a personal conversation with the German was crucial.

Werner had spent 18 months on loan in north London, and his words of encouragement convinced Simons that Tottenham was the right environment.

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“He told me a lot about the club’s greatness and the fantastic fans,” Simons explained in comments reported by Leipziger Volkszeitung. “And he said he thought it was the right place for me to learn and improve. Thanks for your trust, Timo!”

Xavi Simons delighted as he reaches his childhood dream

Tottenham were not the only club chasing Simons, as Bayern Munich also tried to tempt him back to Germany, but the midfielder was determined to make his dream of playing in the Premier League a reality.

Xavi Simons’ move was confirmed with a long-term deal at Tottenham, and Simons has been quick to underline his excitement. “I’m happy to be a Tottenham player,” he told German newspaper Leipziger Volkszeitung.

“Since I was a child, it’s been my dream to play in the Premier League. The club’s vision, the magnificent stadium, the fans, the quality of the team, the coach – it’s a fantastic environment. I want to settle in quickly in my new home and show why Tottenham signed me.”

At one point, Bayern were confident of their chances due to their director of sport Max Eberl, who had previously signed Simons for RB Leipzig in 2023. However, despite those links, the Dutchman made clear that Tottenham offered him the best path for development.

“In football, there are always discussions,” Simons said when asked about Bayern’s interest. “But I do not want to name names. Max was one of those who brought me to RB Leipzig, and I will always be grateful to him for that.

“The most important thing was to find a place where I could develop and express my playing style. That is the way it is at Spurs. My first impressions of the club are great; I felt the energy and ambition when I was introduced to the fans.

“Expectations are high, both for the team and for me. I am looking forward to duels against the best players in the world.”

Thomas Frank’s decision to leave Mathys Tel out of Tottenham’s Champions League squad has already sparked discussion – and now the message delivered to the young forward has come to light.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in the UEFA Champions League after two seasons away, and Thomas Frank will be hoping his side can deliver strong performances under the lights in Europe.

Frank has since confirmed his 22-man squad for the Champions League league phase, and while many of the expected names are present, there were a few notable omissions that have drawn attention.

Clubs are usually expected to register 25 players for the competition, yet Tottenham’s lack of club-trained options meant Frank had to submit a reduced squad of 22, which in turn forced him into some difficult decisions.

Thomas Frank leaves Mathys Tel out of Tottenham Champions League squad

Mathys Tel was one of those to miss out, but he was not alone, as injuries to James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Radu Dragusin also ruled them out of selection.

Yves Bissouma was excluded too, with the Mali international’s future at the club uncertain amid talk of a potential sale, while new signing Kota Takai also did not make the cut.

Speaking about Tel’s situation, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed to TBR Football that Frank made sure to explain the decision directly to a disappointed Tel, making it clear that the call was not based on ability.

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Bailey said: “In terms of Tel, I am told that he was informed by Frank and was assured it was purely because of the logistics and Spurs losing the three places because of the lack of homegrown players.

“They fully sympathised with him and assured him that it was not a reflection on him, as such, just an issue with them only being able to register less than 20 outfield players.”

Tel could yet be added to the squad should Tottenham reach the knockout stages, although Bailey noted that Kulusevski is likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

He added: “The player is understandably disappointed, but the squad can and will be assessed again heading into the next round, so there is hope for him that he will be involved.”

Why Spurs still believe in 20-year-old Tel

Tottenham invested heavily in Mathys Tel, paying £30 million for the forward when he arrived from Bayern Munich, which shows the faith they have in his long-term potential.

The 20-year-old has not fully settled into life at Spurs yet, as he has had to deal with setbacks both on and off the pitch. He missed a crucial penalty in the UEFA Super Cup shootout against PSG and has only played around 30 minutes of competitive football so far this term.

Johan Lange has revealed that he and the others in charge of Tottenham noticed something very interesting about Xavi Simons as soon as they reached out to the Dutchman about a late move to N17.

All through the summer, Chelsea were installed as the favourites to land the Dutchman, with Tottenham’s London rivals even agreeing personal terms with Simons.

However, Spurs managed to hijack Chelsea’s move for Simons in the final days of the transfer window, with Tottenham fans over the moon with the 22-year-old’s arrival.

Simons admitted that his conversation with Frank was a key factor in his Tottenham move, with the attacking midfielder revealing that the Spurs head coach spoke about the weaknesses in his game and how he can improve.

Tottenham could see the hunger in Xavi Simons’ eyes

The new Spurs star has said some very encouraging things during the international break, with the former RB Leipzig man evidently raring to get going at Tottenham.

Xavi Simons revealed that he got a very good feeling from Spurs when they approached him, insisting that the club will give him the platform to evolve into one of the best players in Europe.

Lange has now confessed that Simons’ hunger and desire to improve were immediately apparent to the club as soon as they reached out to him.

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When asked about the Netherlands international’s arrival, the Tottenham technical director told the club’s official channel: “The important thing is when you sit with him and you talk about the project, and you see his eyes and desire to be the best version of himself.

When we speak about reference from teammates and coaches from clubs, they’re just echoing that he’s a very serious athlete, who wants to train well and try to maximise his potential – that’s the most important thing. It’s been a pleasure getting to know him, and we’re looking forward to seeing his determination on a day-to-day basis.”

Lange reveals Randal Kolo Muani was far from a panic buy

The Randal Kolo Muani deal seemingly came out of nowhere for Spurs on deadline day, with the Frenchman barely being linked leading up to the final 24 hours of the transfer window.

According to reports, Juventus were shocked that PSG allowed Kolo Muani to join Spurs on a straight loan deal after the Bianconeri had held extensive talks with the Ligue 1 giants through the summer.

Lane has now revealed that the 26-year-old was a player who had been on Tottenham’s radar for a long time and that the club pounced as soon as they saw a chance to sign him.

The Dane said about the striker’s signing: “I think with Randal, first of all, I’m extremely pleased that we managed to get it over the line. Credit to everybody at the club for acting quickly when a player of that level becomes available.

“Randal is versatile, so he can play across the front line. He gives Thomas and his staff so many options across the front line, where most of our players can play more than one position. Again with Randal, coming in here, he’s a player we’ve followed a long, long time, very successful in the French national team a few years ago.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to receive a major financial injection as ENIC prepare to invest heavily into the club, signalling the start of a new era in north London after Daniel Levy’s departure.

Tottenham Hotspur fans would be hoping that life after Daniel Levy brings about more success on the field, as they embark on a new chapter.

Spurs fell behind their rivals last term following their abysmal display in the Premier League, where they finished in 17th place.

The cracks were papered over with a UEFA Europa League triumph, but success on multiple fronts is very much expected from a club of Tottenham’s stature.

ENIC plan £100m-plus injection into Tottenham

ENIC are looking to show more ambition in the absence of Daniel Levy and, according to The Telegraph, they are preparing to back that up with significant financial muscle.

The report claims that over £100m is scheduled to be pumped into Tottenham to help drive forward ENIC’s desire to ensure Spurs can be competitive on all fronts.

Tottenham have already demonstrated ambition this summer, spending well over £150m on new recruits as they look to push for more success.

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Thomas Frank will lead Spurs into post-Levy era

As part of their sweeping changes, Europa League-winning manager Ange Postecoglou was sacked as Tottenham looks to embark on a fresh era on the pitch, too.

Former Brentford manager Thomas Frank has since replaced the Australian in the dugout, and the Dane is already making improvements in the early weeks of his reign.