De Zerbi could unleash Spurs’ new Dele Alli to replace Xavi Simmons

And similar to that, Xavi Simmons’ first look for Tottenham Hotspur went out in flames – and with it, his World Cup goals with the Netherlands.

It is a brutal finish to a season for the Dutch playmaker, who joined Tottenham from RB Leipzig for £52m final summer season carrying a crushing weight of expectations. It has been a troublesome season, with Roberto De Zerbi’s aspect having to drag themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone with out him.

This can be a snapshot of Londoners’ severe health issues. Tottenham have been stricken by accidents in recent times, which has been on the coronary heart of their decline.

Tottenham have lacked creativity this season, and Simmons’ harm has solely made that worse. How can they address the Dutchman’s absence not just for subsequent month however probably for the remainder of 2026?

How Spurs can exchange Xavi Simmons

Simmons hasn’t had an important season by any means, however he’s a artistic participant and Tottenham want all of the creativity they’ll scramble up as a staff proper now.

De Zerbi was answerable for one of many least efficient attacking strains within the Premier League. Maybe Spurs have gathered a little bit of fluency in latest weeks, however they want extra.

Simmons has topped the Spurs’ help charts this season. He assisted 5 objectives within the Premier League and created seven huge possibilities, greater than any of his colleagues. Tottenham’s playmaking points are structural, and Simmons has the potential to play a central function.

James Madison and Dejan Kulusevski missed the season because of accidents. Maddison is match once more and is anticipated to play a job within the remaining weeks, whereas his Swedish associate is absent, having final performed in April 2025.

Nonetheless, Tottenham do not simply have to fret about changing Simmons within the subsequent few video games. The Lilywhites will nonetheless be with out De Zerbi as supervisor for a lot of months, however with Maddison and Kulusevski unreliable by way of health ranges, De Zerbi could also be extra inclined to interrupt into the academy.

Spurs’ new Dele Alli might exchange Simmons

Tottenham might use a participant like Dele Alli at his finest proper now. Sadly, Dele’s heyday in crisp Tottenham white is lengthy gone.

Nonetheless, it could be smart for De Zerbi and others to make higher use of among the finest academy techniques on the earth, with the likes of Luca Williams-Barnett on the road.

The 17-year-old has but to ascertain himself as a family identify, however he’s skilful and tenacious, exhibiting nice expertise in both broad or central attacking positions and undoubtedly impressing youth coaches.

In actual fact, journalist Seann Walsh mentioned there was a “shade of Dele” within the teenager, a prolific expertise and pure game-changer. This season, he had 16 objectives and eight assists in 19 video games for the event staff.

Spurs might be thrust again into the highlight with a expertise like Dele, and Williams-Barnett remains to be a nascent participant on the foremost stage, however one shot might be sufficient to show his value.

The bounce from youth soccer to the senior stage is necessary, however he has the flexibility to develop. Sadly, he is presently out since February with an harm and hasn’t been in a position to make an affect, however Simmons will not be again on the grass for lengthy and will fill that void subsequent yr.

Whether or not that occurs within the Premier League or the Championship stays to be seen, however Williams-Barnett cannot be dominated out.

A dynamic and versatile attacker, he got here on the bench when Tottenham beat Doncaster Rovers within the Carabao Cup earlier this season, and his repeated appearances on the bench within the Premier League and Champions League underline the respect that various coaches have proven him through the years.

Williams-Barnett, described by soccer scout Jacek Krig as “one in all England’s most enjoyable abilities”, might not be capable of make an affect on Tottenham’s future in key phrases, however he actually has the potential to emerge subsequent yr in a Dele-esque fashion.