Spurs may already have Simons projected upgrade in highflying English man
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank will no doubt be thrilled with how his team is progressing this season, as Spurs continue to build serious momentum under his leadership. Their latest 3-0 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium not only extended their unbeaten run but also propelled them up to third place in the Premier League table, a position few would have predicted just a few months ago.
This rise in form looks even more impressive when considering the context of where Tottenham were just last season. Under Ange Postecoglou, the North London side finished a disappointing 17th in the Premier League, narrowly avoiding relegation despite their surprising triumph in the Europa League. When Frank took over in the summer, many wondered whether he could quickly restore belief and consistency to a side that had looked drained of both confidence and structure. Yet, with 10 games played this term, Spurs look rejuvenated, organized, and full of purpose.
Tottenham’s dominant performance at Merseyside
Their latest outing against Everton was a testament to that transformation. Tottenham were clinical, composed, and in control throughout the match, leaving David Moyes’ side chasing shadows for most of the afternoon.
Dutch defender Micky van de Ven, who has quietly developed into one of Spurs’ most reliable performers, continued his outstanding form by netting two first-half goals — both headers from well-worked set-pieces. His brace gave Tottenham a comfortable lead before Pape Matar Sarr sealed the result with a close-range header late in the second half after Richarlison cleverly nodded the ball across goal.
It was another professional performance from Frank’s men, but as with any ambitious side, there were still some concerns that emerged from the win — particularly the form of summer signing Xavi Simons, who continues to struggle to make his mark in English football.
Xavi Simons’ slow start to life at Spurs
Tottenham’s decision to spend £52 million on Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig was seen as a statement signing. The 22-year-old Dutch international had built a glowing reputation in Germany and was expected to bring flair and creativity to a Spurs side in need of a new attacking spark — especially following James Maddison’s ACL injury in pre-season.
However, things haven’t gone according to plan so far. Despite his impressive record in the Bundesliga — where he registered 18 goals and 26 big chances created across two seasons — Simons has struggled to replicate that form in the Premier League. In ten appearances for Tottenham across all competitions, he has managed just one assist, which came from a corner, and is yet to find the back of the net.
Against Everton, Simons’ performance was again underwhelming. According to Sofascore, he played 62 minutes without recording a single shot or creating a single chance. His lack of impact in the final third is beginning to raise eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. Even in his appearances in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions, his numbers remain modest — no goals and only one key pass in three additional matches.
Simons’ struggles appear to stem not from a lack of talent but rather from difficulty adapting to the physicality and pace of the English game. Frank has shown patience with him so far, but with Spurs competing on multiple fronts, the Danish manager may soon have to consider other options to reignite creativity in the middle of the park.
Could Luca Williams-Barnett be the answer?
One name that continues to gain traction among Tottenham supporters is that of Luca Williams-Barnett, a highly rated 17-year-old academy midfielder. The teenager made his senior debut in the 3-0 League Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers, and there is growing belief that he could be ready for a bigger role.
Williams-Barnett has been in scintillating form at youth level this season. In just 12 appearances across all competitions, he has notched eight goals and seven assists, including a brief but confident three-minute cameo for the first team. His productivity has been remarkable — a goal or assist nearly every 60 minutes — and he has already become one of the standout players in the Premier League 2 competition.
Last season, the England U18 international also impressed by scoring 20 goals for Tottenham’s youth sides, showcasing consistency and maturity well beyond his years. His progress earned him the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award in September, further highlighting his rapid rise.
U23 scout Antonio Mango even described him as the “most underrated talent in English academies”, praising his technical ability, decision-making, and confidence on the ball. Such endorsements underline why there’s growing excitement about his potential within the club.
A timely opportunity for Frank to experiment
With Tottenham set to face Newcastle United in the League Cup on Wednesday night, Frank might see this as the perfect moment to give Williams-Barnett a proper opportunity. A midweek cup tie offers a lower-pressure environment for a youngster to prove himself, and given Simons’ lack of end product, the timing could not be better.
Frank has always been known for his willingness to trust young players — something he frequently demonstrated at Brentford — and Williams-Barnett could become his next success story. If the teenager can translate even a fraction of his youth-level performances to senior football, Tottenham may already have a natural successor waiting in the wings.
Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Everton was another step forward in their promising season under Thomas Frank. The squad is showing balance, belief, and tactical discipline, but to sustain their top-four push, every player must perform at their peak — including high-profile signings like Xavi Simons.
While patience is necessary for young talents adapting to new surroundings, football is also about seizing opportunities. If Simons continues to struggle, Luca Williams-Barnett’s explosive form and eye-catching statistics could make him the next breakthrough star at Tottenham Hotspur — and perhaps, the unexpected solution to one of Frank’s few current headaches.