When Xavi Simons joined Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, he arrived with 'face of the franchise' potential.
After Harry Kane departed in 2023 and Son Heung-min followed suit last summer, Spurs lacked a swashbuckling hero capable of getting bums off seats. James Maddison is of the ilk, as is Dejan Kulusevski, but both succumbed to long-term injuries before Tottenham, after a transfer window of rejection, pivoted to Xavi.
The Barcelona academy graduate struggled to light up the big stage in Paris, but found solace and comfort in smaller market towns such as Eindhoven and Leipzig. Spurs have the infrastructure of a behemoth but have seldom performed like a giant over the past few years, even with the likes of Kane and Son working in destructive tandem. Still, the rigours of the Premier League represented a return to the big time for the venerated playmaker.
Son's exit represented the end of an era. Xavi's entrance was the start of something afresh. Many have struggled to envisage a future with the Dutchman leading the way, but more and more are coming around to the idea.
Conor Gallagher is a huge fan of "brilliant player" Simons
🚨🎙️Conor Gallagher on Xavi Simons...
— The Spurs Watch (@TheSpursWatch) February 4, 2026
"He's a brilliant player. He's one of those guys that you want on your team. He works so hard and he just wants to win. He has a lot of passion to give and obviously a lot of quality as well. He's only going to get better, he's top. He wants… pic.twitter.com/mfxB8wqTfV
Sunday felt like the day when Xavi Simons won over hearts and minds. A scrappy, passionate playmaker with tons of quality, Spurs' new No. 7 dazzled amid an unexpected fightback.
His start to life in north London hasn't been easy, but performances under the lights in the Champions League proved that this was no dud at their disposal. It was only a matter of time until Xavi showcased his stuff domestically.
There's a resemblance to Rafael van der Vaart, not stylistically, but in the way he's taken to his new home. He gets it. Despite a tough acclimatisation period, Xavi's been keen to learn all things Tottenham, from Chick King to Chas & Dave. Supporters notice things like that.
He's left an impression on his teammates, too, with January signing Conor Gallagher among those to wax lyrical.
"He's [Xavi's] a brilliant player. He's one of those guys that you want on your team. He works so hard, and he just wants to win. He has a lot of passion to give and obviously a lot of quality as well," the Englishman commented.
Xavi Simons is not only getting more touches in the attacking 1/3, but in recent games those touches have increasingly come in central attacking areas, unsurprisingly leading to more chance creations and his best performances. https://t.co/oviGAEHtan pic.twitter.com/SIhCYdBhlx
— TheSpursStatsMan (@SpursPLStatsMan) February 1, 2026
Gallagher summarised by simply calling the Dutchman "great", and the pair may well combine to convert Spurs' midfield into a gritty unit that, importantly, boasts a finishing touch. Gallagher was excellent in the second half against Man City, and another, through his effort and energy, who'll swiftly win over supporters.
You're not still hung up over the purple patch merchant Arsenal signed in the summer, are you?