Thomas Frank has identified one quality of Xavi Simons that goes under the radar after the Tottenham midfielder’s outstanding display against Manchester City.
After initially struggling to cope with the physicality and intensity of the Premier League, Xavi now looks more and more at home with each passing game.
The Dutchman has now shown that he has well and truly arrived in England, with his all-action display against Man City arguably being his best in a Tottenham shirt so far.
The 22-year-old seems to be playing with a sort of confidence and even bodderlin arrogance that was lacking at the start of the season, and the Spurs boss has praised one particular quality of the attacking midfielder.
Thomas Frank hails ‘fight’ Xavi Simons is showing at Tottenham
Xavi set up Tottenham’s first goal with an exceptional through ball for Dominic Solanke, and he was always looking to make things happen on the ball.
However, it is the fight that the former RB Leipzig man showed against City that particularly impressed Frank.
When asked if the performance on Sunday was the attacking midfielder’s best in a Tottenham shirt, the Dane told Football.London: “I think Xavi was exceptional today. He’s a very good footballer. But he’s probably an even bigger winner and fighter. So the way he fights with the team is exceptional. And how he’s part of driving the team forward, I think is very impressive.”
Frank admits Xavi has now adapted to the Premier League
A moment that personified the Dutchman’s evolution came in the second half when Man City right-back Matheus Nunes tried to dribble out of defence past the Tottenham midfielder.
Xavi showed tremendous upper body strength to ease Nunes out of the way, tackled the ball, before making a burst into the box and picking out a low cross, which a stretching Wilson Odobert couldn’t get enough on.
That move demonstrated that the Dutchman is more than capable of coping with the physicality of English football, and Frank admits that the 22-year-old has made massive strides over recent months.
When asked if it has taken Xavi time to get up to speed with the pace of the Premier League, the Dane responded: “Yeah, I think it’s fair to say that the Premier League is the best league in the world. It’s also the most physical, not only in the duels, but physical in the pace of the game. It’s so quick. And to adapt to that takes a little bit of time.
“And then I think some players, for whatever reason, just adapt a little bit quicker. For whatever reason, if they’re coming into a team that’s in flow, they may adapt a little bit quicker. There can be a lot of things. And it’s humans we’re dealing with. The most important thing is their intentions and their work ethic and all that. And then it’ll be step by step. And I think Xavi has taken some big steps, especially in recent weeks.”
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