When Tottenham Hotspur take on Premier League leaders and hated rivals Arsenal on Sunday in the North London Derby, the microscope will be fully placed on the Spurs No. 10 position with more focus than will be on any other player in this prestigious clash betwee England's two fiercest footballing rivals.
Simons wasn't actually Spurs first choice for the attacking midfield position in the aftermath of James Maddison's serious knee injury. Spurs were actually trying to sign FA Cup winning Crystal Palace star - and local London hero - Eberechi Eze first, but the England international's childhood affinity for Arsenal won out in the end. Arsenal signed Eze at the last second, just when everyone thought he had already agreed to a move to Tottenham.
So then Spurs signed Xavi Simons, who was previously strongly linked to their other big London rivals, Chelsea. But the Blues cooled off on Simons, and when Spurs signed the younger Simons for cheaper than what Arsenal paid for Eze, many fans thought that they had won the summer window's attacking midfield game of musical chairs.
A disappointment for Tottenham
Though Eze hasn't been amazing himself, Simons has been a real disappointment for Tottenham thus far. Clearly, it's not all on him, as it is pretty hard to make an imprint on the game when you are playing behind a woeful Richarlison and in front of the midfield double pivot of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha, which Thomas Frank has rather foolishly chosen to stay married to.
But Simons clearly could be doing better. He is creating some chances, but he has just one assist and no goals in about eight appearances in the Premier League. Simons is not creating any sense of danger to the opposition, he's been less active on the ball with progression and dribbles, his defensive work is honestly lacking, and his overall goal threat and impact on the game are minimal.
Facing off against Arsenal and the very player, Eze, whom Spurs wanted first, Simons has to have his breakout performance. He was the most expensive signing of the summer for Tottenham, per Transfermarkt, and as a No. 10, Spurs are expecting much more production than one goal contribution in eight games.
No player has more to prove on either side than Simons this Sunday, and if he pulls in another dud of a game against this elite Arsenal defensive and midfield combination with Premier League Player of the Season candidates like Declan Rice on board, then more questions will be asked internationally about Simons and his fit with Spurs.