Xavi Simons has made an exciting admission regarding the mood at Tottenham ahead of Roberto De Zerbi’s first full season in charge.
Everyone associated with Spurs was at their lowest point just two and a half months ago, with relegation to the Championship appearing a realistic outcome for the Lilywhites.
However, the mood around the club has been transformed since, as not only did De Zerbi manage to keep Spurs up, but the Lilywhites are also showing some serious ambition at the start of the summer window.
In fact, reports indicate that the Tottenham boss privately believes that the club can challenge for the top five spots next season.
Xavi Simons admits Tottenham squad has ‘a good connection’ with Roberto De Zerbi
Xavi will not be available to help Spurs at the start of the season, with reports indicating that the Tottenham midfielder is expected to be sidelined for the rest of 2026.
However, despite his ACL injury, which ruled him out of the World Cup, the 22-year-old is upbeat about his future and believes Spurs will be a much bigger force in the Premier League next season under De Zerbi.
Xavi told CBS Sports Golazo: “What gives me hope? Obviously, seeing the World Cup now on the television gives me more motivation and more, yeah, that fire to keep going more. And I have dreams that I want to achieve and I know I’m going to achieve it.
“So putting the work into it and obviously coming up the next tournaments that are coming that are my main goals. And obviously with my club Tottenham Hotspur, I want to achieve big things. So that’s for me my main goal, yeah.”
When asked what he saw in the final seven matches of last season that gives him hope going into the new campaign, the former Leipzig man said:
“Yeah, it has been a really difficult season, especially for the fans I would say. But with the new coach coming up, like Roberto, we were really happy with him. I think there was a really good connection between the players and the staff.
“You could see the last couple of games, even though me the last two or three games I couldn’t play, but I was seeing on the pitch the guys had a new boost and a new vibe on the pitch and that was something really positive. And now going into the next season, I think really big things are coming up with the coach.”
Xavi loving the freedom he gets in De Zerbi’s system
The Dutchman’s best performances in a Spurs shirt came under the Italian coach last season just before he suffered his major injury setback against Wolves.
De Zerbi has admitted he has a special connection with Xavi, and the Dutchman has now asserted that the 46-year-old is the ideal man to bring the best out of him.
When asked about Tottenham’s attackers clicking in De Zerbi’s system in the final few matches last season, Xavi responded: “Yeah, for me, when he came in, a lot of players already spoke about him that I know. And for me, it was an extra boost because I know the way he wants to play. I know as well, he was an attacking midfielder as well.
“So as a player like me and the position that I play, I like to have freedom. And I think he gave me that and he’s giving me that. So that’s something for me that is really important. And that I can bring my best game out. So, yeah, I’m really happy.”
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