Frank: Simons facing similar challenges as Wirtz
Neither Florian Wirtz nor Xavi Simons have enjoyed strong starts to their Premier League careers, with both players still adapting.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says Xavi Simons is experiencing similar challenges to Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz as both continue to adapt to life in the Premier League.
The pair made high-profile moves from the Bundesliga over the summer, with Simons joining Spurs from RB Leipzig for £51m and Wirtz moving to Liverpool for £116m from Bayer Leverkusen.
However, neither player has found the net yet for their new clubs, struggling to fully settle into English football.
Simons, whose only assist came on his debut against West Ham, will be hoping to open his Tottenham account when they face Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Frank, though, insists the Dutchman is progressing well and moving in the “right direction.”
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Frank said: “I think that’s a very good question, and also a very good comparison with Wirtz, who is also a very good player, just like Xavi.
"He is a very good player coming into a couple of things — a new country, new club, new city. You just need to settle in, and it is part of it.
“We are all getting judged every game. But we also need to see the bigger perspective a little bit and see it over time.”
Wirtz, who is also set to be in Champions League action against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday, is yet to register a single goal contribution for Arne Slot's Reds.
But the German playmaker has racked up 21 chances created across all competitions so far this term, with Simons having recorded just seven.
