Tottenham’s high-profile summer signing Xavi Simons has come under criticism from Dutch football journalist Johan Derksen, who believes the young playmaker is finding it difficult to cope with the physical demands and pace of the Premier League.
The Netherlands international joined Tottenham in a surprise transfer after the North London club hijacked Chelsea’s move for him.
They moved quickly to finalise a £65m deal with RB Leipzig, with former Spurs forward Timo Werner reportedly playing a role in convincing Simons to make the switch to London.
However, since arriving in England, the 22-year-old has endured a slow start to life at Tottenham under Thomas Frank.
Xavi Simons’ performances have now drawn mixed reviews, with several pundits questioning whether he can handle the intensity of English football.
Johan Derksen says Xavi Simons not physically ready for Premier League football
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Speaking on the Groeten uit Grolloo podcast, Derksen delivered a blunt assessment of why the Netherlands international is currently underperforming at Spurs, suggesting the step up from the Bundesliga has been too steep.
His remarks, as quoted by Voetbal Zone, centered on the difference between Simons’ technical ability and his physical stature in the English top flight.
He said: “He’s a great player who often used his tricks in the Netherlands. He also performed well in Germany, but in England, they are much stronger physically. If you look at the English league and switch to a different league, it’s completely different.”
The veteran journalist argued that Simons’ struggles are a direct consequence of this shift in intensity. He continued: “You can see that he can’t keep up with the speed of action and is physically weaker.
“While Tijjani Reijnders doesn’t have that problem; he’s already one of the leading players at Manchester City.”
“In the past, a lightweight with good technique could easily hold his own. Technique is no longer the only thing you need to contribute; you also need physical strength at the top level.”
Why Xavi Simons is finding the Premier League a tougher challenge than expected
While Simons was a creative force in both the Eredivisie and the Bundesliga, the step up in intensity and physicality in England has clearly tested him.
The Premier League’s relentless tempo demands both explosive fitness and physical resilience, two areas the Dutchman may still be developing.
Club
Appearances
Goals
Assists
RB Leipzig
78
22
24
PSV Eindhoven
48
22
11
Despite his early struggles, Tottenham remain confident that the former PSV and Leipzig star will adapt with time.
His close control, vision, and versatility makes him a potentially key figure in Spurs’ long-term project once he adjusts to the demands of English football.
Seen as a natural successor to Heung-Min Son, Simons offers tactical flexibility and can operate effectively across the front three or in a central attacking midfield role.
Here’s the table version of those stats:
Position
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Left Winger
62
18
18
Attacking Midfield
53
22
18
Right Winger
27
7
6
Centre-Forward
11
5
6
His impressive numbers in each of these positions further underline the quality he brings and hint at the significant impact he could have for Tottenham once he fully settles in.
