Frank unleashes Spurs’ ‘phenomenal’ star so he can finally fire Simmons

Tottenham Hotspur tackle Monaco within the Champions League tonight as they give the impression of being to get again to profitable methods after dropping at residence to Aston Villa on the weekend.

Thomas Frank’s aspect will understandably have excessive expectations in Europe this season, given their success within the Europa League final season.

The Dane has already made a superb begin in Europe’s largest membership competitors, profitable one and drawing the opposite in his first two video games of 2025/26.

Nonetheless, Sebastian Pocognoli’s aspect held Manchester Metropolis to a 2-2 draw firstly of the month and might be a tricky problem in opposition to the Ligue 1 aspect.

If Frank is to win Europe once more as Lilywhites supervisor, he’ll in all probability want one in every of his present first crew members to proceed his finest type within the south of France.

Xavi Simmons’ disappointing begin to Spurs

Throughout the summer season switch window, Spurs’ leaders made it clear that they wished to enhance the choices accessible inside the attacking midfield place.

After a variety of failures through the window, they determined to pay round £52m to signal Dutch worldwide Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.

A complete of 19 targets and assists in all competitions brought about a variety of pleasure, but it surely’s secure to say that his time in North London hasn’t gone properly thus far.

The 22-year-old has registered only one help in his first eight video games for the Lilywhites, and his transfer is now beginning to be questioned by many specialists.

Simmons solely creates 1.3 possibilities per 90 and completes simply 40% of his dribble makes an attempt. The latter of his two statistics ranks him within the high 44 of all Premier League gamers.

An absence of physicality has additionally been uncovered in England’s high flight, with solely 38% of their matches gained and simply 27% of gamers within the division profitable much less.

He desperately wants to seek out his type to justify his staggering switch payment, however Frank may assist him in opposition to Monaco by beginning tonight as one other first-team member.

Spurs gamers who can lastly hearth Simmons

All through his first few weeks in North London, Simmons performed in a wide range of roles, spending most of his enjoying time in an unnatural left-wing place.

This example is prone to be a contributing issue to his latest lack of attacking influence, and managers have to make the most of him in his pure No. 10 place.

He created almost twice as many possibilities per 90 minutes for Leipzig final season, additional proving the extent he can create when that includes behind the striker.

Questions have additionally arisen within the centre-forward division just lately, with Richarlison unable to verify the boldness proven by his new supervisor.

Dominic Solanke can be Frank’s apparent primary choice, however the Englishman’s repeated setbacks with an ankle damage have prevented him from constantly enjoying within the first crew.

In such a state of affairs, the supervisor would hand loanee Randal Kolo Muani his first begin for the Lilywhites within the sport in opposition to Monaco later tonight.

The Frenchman has solely performed 24 minutes for the membership since becoming a member of from PSG on deadline day, however the lights-lit evening in Europe may very well be his probability to stake a declare for a beginning berth.

Described as “phenomenal” by former supervisor Christian Gourcuff, Kolo Muani scored 10 targets in simply 22 appearances for Juventus final season, highlighting his scientific potential within the remaining third.

Such expertise in attacking areas may very well be of nice profit to Simmons, with the Dutchman having an opportunity to extend his help numbers alongside the Frenchman.

In any case, this can be a participant who, within the phrases of the Bundesliga web site, has the “traits of Thierry Henry’s play”. We’ve not seen something like that but since his transfer, however there’s by no means been a greater time.

The massive-ticket signing has accomplished 1.1 crosses in each 90 makes an attempt, a determine that works completely for the loanee who netted three headers final season.

Each gamers struggled to stay as much as the expectations upon their eventual arrival in North London, however all that would change tonight if Frank offers them the prospect to begin collectively.

The pair may assist the crew keep their unbeaten report in Europe this season and improve their possibilities of profitable one other European title.