With Tottenham Hotspur’s third manager in a row now targeting Xavi Simons at Premier League level, questions are beginning to be asked about the Dutchman’s long-term future in north London.
On Sunday afternoon at the Stadium of Light, the 22-year-old was not called up until the 84th minute, even as Spurs chased the game, eyebrows raised by Roberto De Zerbi’s decision to leave the player out of his starting line-up.
Simons, a £52m signing from RB Leipzig, was left out of Igor Tudor’s squad for the clash with Nottingham Forest before the international break, having now started 17 league games all season.
Having not started in the last four in the top flight, he has been severely hampered by the attacking system, and is now in danger of falling into the same position as other Spurs signings.
How does Simons compare to Tottenham’s most expensive signings
There has long been a desire for major investment at N17, especially during Daniel Levy’s time at the helm, yet there is a feeling that when the Lilywhites spend a lot of money, it doesn’t always translate to success on the pitch.
Tottenham’s most expensive players of all time
A detailed look at the 10 most expensive Spurs signings of all time.
Simons, Spurs’ fifth most expensive ever signing, has provided just four goals and five assists in his first 39 games in all competitions, his only league goal coming against Brentford at the start of December.
The man above him on the list, Mohammed Kudus, endured his first season in the club, albeit through injury, and the Ghanaian is expected to miss the rest of the season after the latest injury in his recovery.
As for third-placed Richarlison, the charismatic Brazilian leads the way as Tottenham’s top goalscorer in 2025/26, although a tally of 25 league goals in his four seasons in the capital makes for a poor reading for the ‘Premier League-proven’ midfielder.
The former Everton striker is at least a fixture at the club, unlike 2019 arrival Tanguy Ndombele, a £62.8m midfielder who scored and assisted just 19 goals in 91 games, before leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 after several loan spells.
Simons – and club record signing Dominic Solanke – are looking the same way on current evidence, and it could be an incredible summer under De Zerbi, as he looks to take the struggling club forward.
The next Paul Gascoigne could be Simons’ replacement at Spurs
A lot will depend on whether or not Spurs survive come May, but if there is to be any sense of hope going into next term, it may be down to the exciting youth of the club.
That includes those already in north London, such as Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, as well as those currently on loan, in the form of Luka Vuskovic and Mike Moore.
In Moore’s case, the 18-year-old recently revealed that he is determined to return to his parents’ club this summer, following a successful season on loan at Glasgow Rangers, where he played a key role in the club’s title push.
|
Moore vs Simons – 25/26 League statistics |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Moore |
Statistics |
Simmons |
|
28 |
Games |
26 |
|
6 |
Goals |
1 |
|
298 |
Minutes per goal |
1616 |
|
6 |
Great opportunities are not missed |
1 |
|
2 |
It helps |
4 |
|
7 |
Great opportunities have been created |
6 |
|
1.2 |
Key passes* |
1.2 |
|
79% |
Pass accuracy* |
82% |
|
1.4 |
Success. dribble* |
1.0 |
|
11.4 |
Ball lost* |
11.0 |
Of the six Premiership goals this campaign, all of which have come since Danny Rohl replaced Russell Martin in the Ibrox dugout, the youngster is earning positive reviews at the moment, having started the Light Blues’ last nine league games.
That included a superb display in the Old Firm derby last month, where Moore was superb in the first half, running past Celtic’s backline time and time again, harassing right-back Julian Araujo. He has already scored in the same game back in January.
There is a ballic genius to his game that has earned comparisons with Rangers and Tottenham greats, in the form of Paul Gascoigne, with former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe saying as much about Moore’s school days:
“That’s a big talk, but it reminds me a bit of Gazza, the way he skates past people, it’s easy to do at 15.”
There is a fearlessness in Moore’s game that mirrors Gazza’s brilliance, the England hero who scored 33 times in 112 games for the north London club, playing a key role in that 1991 FA Cup triumph.
Although a left-winger by trade, Moore has also operated in one position this season, while Rohl’s usual 4-2-2-2 formation sees him move inside almost as an inverted winger.
That ability to play in any role could see Moore challenged and could cost Simons in the attacking ranks, and De Zerbi may relish the opportunity to work with the rising young star at N17.
It was the Italian who gave opportunities to a group of young players back at Brighton and Hove Albion, including current first-team star Jack Hinshelwood, highlighting why he would have no fear of throwing a Spurs teenager into the mix.
Simons, after struggling under Thomas Frank and falling out of favor under Tudor, is not the flavor of the month at the moment, with Moore ready and waiting to take his place next season.
De Zerbi could end Gallagher’s Spurs career by offloading Tottenham’s new Modric
Tottenham’s big-money January signing has not gone the distance since arriving under Thomas Frank’s management.
