Xavi Simons Needs to Step Up for Spurs, Says Thomas Frank
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank wants Xavi Simons to bring more intensity to his game as he adapts to the Premier League. Simons has been settling in at Spurs after a £60 million move from RB Leipzig.
“Xavi has been with us for seven or eight weeks, which is a short time in football but also a long time...”
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is pushing Xavi Simons to step up his game, emphasizing the need for greater intensity from the £60 million signing as he settles into the Premier League. Despite having only one assist to his name, Frank believes Simons has the quality to make a significant impact for the team.
Simons has been with Tottenham for about seven or eight weeks, and Frank notes that it's a short but significant period in football. Frank praised Simons' performance in the first 60 minutes against Aston Villa but felt he tired towards the end. Randal Kolo Muani, another new signing, is nearing his first Premier League start for Spurs after recovering from a “dead leg” injury.
Tottenham faces a tough test against 12th-placed Everton, with Frank warning that the team will face a challenging encounter. “I think Everton is a very good team, not just Jack Grealish,” Frank said, praising the team's progress under David Moyes. Spurs will be without captain Cristian Romero due to an adductor strain, but Frank expects him to be out for a short period.
“Xavi has been with us for seven or eight weeks, which is a short time in football but also a long time,” Frank told reporters on Friday.
“I liked his personality after the first 0⁰60 minutes against (Aston) Villa, but he then tired a bit.
“Our demand to him is more intensity, but a player I believe in, he's got the pass and vision.
"We've just been training and he trained very well.”
Randal Kolo Muani is nearing his first Premier League start for Tottenham since joining the club on a season-long loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain in September. The 26-year-old French forward is recovering from a “dead leg” injury that kept him sidelined for several matches.
Kolo Muani recently made his Premier League debut for Spurs in a 2-1 home defeat against Aston Villa, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute. With continued progress, he could be in line for his first start in the league soon.
“It's the first time he's had a sustained block of training and minutes. He can't be bombarding 90 minutes again and again, but he can be used, which is good news,” Frank said.
Tottenham sits sixth in the Premier League standings with 14 points from eight matches, trailing league leaders Arsenal by five points.
Thomas Frank gives an update on the fitness of Cuti, Destiny and Dom 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/T7i0WEHeNH
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 24, 2025
"I think Everton is a very good team, not just (Jack) Grealish. A good colleague and friend of mine, David Moyes, is there - someone who I respect a lot, and his teams are always hard to beat. He has got Grealish able to flourish again,” Frank said.
Tottenham looks to bounce back from recent setbacks when they face 12th-placed Everton, following defeats to Aston Villa in the league and a draw against AS Monaco in the Champions League.
“Cuti (Romero) just walked out on the grass running, positive and progressing, no time frame, but I don't expect it to be a longer one,” Frank said.
“Destiny (Udogie) isn't on the grass yet, not a longer one.
“Dominic (Solanke) positive, he's taking steps in the right direction every day.
On the road to Everton 🛣️
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 24, 2025
👉 @Castrol pic.twitter.com/w7H8ZjxfyZ
Tottenham will miss captain Cristian Romero for the trip to Everton, as the Argentine center-back continues to recover from an adductor strain.
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