Just 128 minutes of play in Ligue 1, plus two starts and an entry into the Coupe de France. Here are the crumbs that Xavi Simons had to settle for at Paris Saint-Germain last season. The midfielder joined PSV in the summer and his playing time has skyrocketed. The Dutchman showed up early on at Eindhoven and started all 26 of his side’s league games this year.
Positioned as an attacking midfielder, he shines in the last third of the field. For his first league match against Emmen, he delivered an assist (4-1 victory, August 6). During the next three meetings, he chained three doubles. Enough to get the title of best player of the month for August.
His trainer, Ruud van Nistelrooy, praised his nugget in the magazine Football International “Everyone expects him to make the difference with the ball. He can do it with his technique and he has the qualities to choose the right area. But we also saw that he is very fast in duels. »
Xavi Simons shows a lot of lucidity when distributing to his partners. The attacking midfielder made many assists by organizing the game from the axis, facing the game. This season, he has already distilled 7 assists in the Eredivisie. But the former Parisian also stands out at the finish with 13 goals to his credit, often with finesse on stung balls or outsides of the foot.
In a championship conducive to the development of young players, Xavi Simons flourishes fully. He saves his team many meters with the ball at the foot. As much thanks to his races as his ability to dribble. But the environment has other advantages. “When Xavi loses the ball, he switches very quickly, detailed Ruud van Nistelrooy to Voetbal International. He has fantastic qualities. He knows what he wants. He has already lived twice abroad and he stored this experience with him. For his age, he is already above. »
Co-top scorer in his championship, the attacking midfielder lifts his team to third place in the standings. His performances even earned him a call to the Dutch squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “It’s a dream come true,” said Xavi Simons on social media. Thanks to my family and friends. And in particular to my mom, my brother and my sister who have always supported me with unconditional love. »
The midfielder trained at FC Barcelona only made one appearance during the World Cup, in the round of 16 against the United States (3-1 victory). But the departure of Louis van Gaal, replaced by Ronald Koeman at the head of the selection, did not call into question his place in the group. The former PSG player will be at the Stade de France on Friday to challenge Mbappé’s Blues.
For former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart, Xavi Simons could become a reference in his position. “When I look at his potential, he can become the best in the world, absolutely. Believe me, in a few years we’ll all be saying: Cgood to be able to use this boy for the national team », he declared in March to Voetbal International. After exploding in the eyes of Europe, several clubs are now courting the young midfielder.
If he has signed up for five years at PSV, Paris has a buyout clause of €12 million valid for the summers of 2023 and 2024. A possibility that must not be ruled out since in the shadow of Verratti, no one does not impose itself in the midfield.
But to attract Xavi Simons, he will have to be given playing time. Marcel Brands, the general manager of the Dutch club, spoke about his player’s future for The Friday Move in early March. “We have proven that we can offer something and I don’t think he is thinking specifically about returning to Paris. I think he would rather play in the Premier League. “ Xavi Simons keeps many ties to Paris and it is not said that he does not plan to return to shine there. For real.
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