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It's not that Xavi Simons is a bad player or that he doesn't have great potential. Up the road, it could be argued that he's a good addition for Thomas Frank's side. But, after losing out to Arsenal over Eberechi Eze, is Simons really the best that Sp*rs can do?
Xavi Simons is a 22-year-old signing from German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. The Dutchman came through the academy ranks at FC Barcelona and PSG before making his debut for Les Parisiens in a cup tie against SM Caen at the age of 17.
In 2022/23, after signing for PSV Eindhoven, Simons was named Talent of the Season. His breakthrough season in the Dutch Eredivisie saw Simons score 19 times for PSV and prompted PSG to re-sign him at the end of the season.
Enrique quickly moved Simons on to RB Leipzig
However, it was clear that Luis Enrique was not a big fan and Simons found himself on loan at RB Leipzig where he did well enough to earn himself a place in the Bundesliga team of the year.
So, how does that stack up and why are Arsenal fans sniggering behind their neighbours' backs?
To start with, a player who's not good enough for PSG should not be on a club with Champions League ambitions' shortlist. Perhaps that will become clear when Simons travels with his new club to the French capital on the 26th November in the competition.
At 22-years-old, there is no knowing how Simons will develop and what player he will become. With so many clubs happy to see him go, some might begin to question his temperament. That's beyond the scope of this piece but under the guidance of Thomas Frank, shouldn't be a problem.
Eze is a far more complete player than Xavi Simons
That isn't a problem that Arsenal will encounter with new signing Eze. At 27-years-old, Eze is a more complete player who has established himself in the Premier League.
In contrast, Simons' best performances have come for a dominant team in a weak league (at PSV Eindhoven). The list of players to have done well in the Eredivisie and then struggled in the Premier League, is desperately long.
In Germany, Simons' team, RB Leipzig, could only finish seventh in the league behind the likes of SC Freiburg and Mainz.
Of course, nothing about any of the above makes Simons a bad player. Not at all. He's just not in Eze's class. The difference in quality of the signings made by both clubs this summer is a clear sign of how far apart the two are in their expectations this season.
While Arsenal are expecting to challenge for both the title and the Champions League this season, perhaps the most that the White Hart Lane dwellers can hope for is European qualification again.
When the season comes to a conclusion, despite Xavi Simon's signing, Arsenal will have the last laugh.