Xavi Simons has certainly kept himself busy since succumbing to an ACL tear at Molineux in April.
The Dutch playmaker, who's debut season in Lilywhite was laden with promise, has quickly endeared himself to the fanbase, and proven to be quite the human being. In partnership with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, Xavi has funded a brand-new community football pitch in Rojales, Alicante—where he grew up in Spain after moving from Amsterdam when he was three-years-old.
Xavi has also spent time across the pond, visiting the Boston Celtics and Baltimore Ravens as part of his specialist rehabilitation programme. He also enrolled at the prestigious Harvard University while he was at it.
The former PSG and RB Leipzig star is one of several Tottenham players to recently suffer a long-term knee injury, and one his close pals, Wilson Odobert, has been on the sidelines since February as the result of a similar issue. Xavi has a great support system in place, and seems to be coping well.
He was in the changing room after Saturday's rare victory at Stamford Bridge, and must surely be desperate to get back in the mix as soon as possible. For Xavi, a potential return doesn't appear light years away.
Xavi targeting Christmas return from ACL tear
The Dutchman scared a few when he posted a photo of himself wearing a knee brace before some clarified that the photo in question was taken right after he underwent surgery in April.
There have been exclusively positive reports regarding his recovery, and there was another provided by someone we haven't heard a whole lot from since the transfer window slammed shut. @szyexcl proved himself to be reliable enough to trust in the summer, and seeing as his latest report is hugely encouraging, we'll choose to believe it.
They understand that Xavi is targeting a return to first-team in action in late December, perhaps in that wilderness period between Christmas and New Year. Spurs host Bournemouth on Boxing Day and Brighton & Hove Albion on the 29th. A trip to a potentially-sanctioned Manchester City kicks off our 2027.
Szy notes that Spurs are expressing more caution, hoping to have Xavi back in January. That's when our FA Cup campaign will get underway, so perhaps those early-round fixtures would be ideal for the Dutchman to ease his way back in.
Should Xavi stick to his timeline, that'd be some Christmas present for supporters, who are currently suffering through a perpetual state of angst regarding their No. 10 position thanks to James Maddison's incessant injury woes.
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