Xavi Simons has no time to waste. If he left PSG this summer to join PSV Eindhoven, it was to play and win. For the time being, the 19-year-old midfielder is doing quite well: in three outings (one start), he has delivered an assist and scored a goal. And he is applying this Tuesday evening for a start in the return leg of the Champions League against AS Monaco (8:30 p.m.). A perfect start for the Dutchman, back in a country he ultimately knows little about, having gone to live in Spain and then in Paris between 2008 and 2022.
“He has fantastic qualities, supports Ruud Van Nistelrooy, coach of PSV Eindhoven. He knows what he wants, he has already had two experiences abroad and brings this experience with him. He has already come a long way for his age. “No shyness for the young Simons at the time of knowing his first tenure with his new club. It was this weekend against FC Emmen at the opening of the championship. Results ? 4-1 for PSV with an assist on the counter for the attacking midfielder, established in number 10 behind striker Luuk de Jong.
PSV, a sporting choice
With a man of the match trophy in his pocket, Xavi Simons delighted his supporters and scored points with a view to a new start this Tuesday against AS Monaco. A week ago, during the draw (1-1) on the Monegasque lawn, he only came into play at the end of the match (15 minutes). A few days earlier, the former Barcelona player scored his first goal in the Dutch Supercup, won brilliantly against Ajax Amsterdam (5-3). His talent could help PSV eliminate Monaco and, why not, find PSG in the Champions League group stage.
With the capital club, the 1.68m midfielder will only have had 11 professional appearances (3 starts) in April 2021 and May 2022, under the orders of Mauricio Pochettino. Last season, it was with the under-19s of Zoumana Camara that Xavi Simons demonstrated all his qualities. In the Youth League, he chained good performances by being decisive in six of his seven starts (4 goals, 6 assists). Suspended in the quarter-finals, he saw his team go out in his absence.
But it is in pro that the young man now wishes to show himself. With PSV Eindhoven, he made a sporting choice, with a plan set out by Ruud Van Nistelrooy, a former great striker from the Netherlands, Manchester United or Real Madrid. “Before signing for PSV, I spoke a lot with the coach. He was very clear in telling me what he expected of me: to create danger by moving just behind the leading striker. What he is doing wonderfully so far. Monaco is warned.
