'I heard different things' - Xavi Simons thanks 'honest' Thomas Frank for telling him weaknesses of his game during Tottenham transfer talks

Speaking while on international duty with the Netherlands, Simons opened up about his decision to join Tottenham over several European rivals this summer. The 22-year-old explained that Thomas Frank’s straight-talking approach impressed him during talks, with the Spurs boss highlighting both strengths and weaknesses in his game.

"The manager told me a lot," Simons told reporters in Zeist. "Positive things, but also things I need to improve. It’s fantastic how he sees football and how he wants to make players better. Spurs is the right place for me to develop.

"I always think the coaches are the most important people to base a decision on. As a player, you see a coach more than your family. I heard different things from Thomas Frank than I’ve heard from other coaches in the past. That’s understandable. When I went to PSV, I was much younger, so you have to work on different things then than you do now."

Simons also claimed that international team-mate Micky van der Ven helped sell him on the idea of a switch to Spurs, adding: "Micky van der Ven already said, 'We need you, so come here.' And that's what happened. My sister is eleven years old; she's more focused on other things than football, but she really loved Spurs' stadium. I'm looking forward to playing against the best players in the world in that stadium."

Simons has already enjoyed spells with PSG, PSV, and RB Leipzig, and now believes the time is right to test himself in the Premier League. He arrives at Spurs as one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking midfielders in Europe. He will have a big job on his hands if he is to fill the James Maddison-shaped hole in the squad this term, after the England international tore his ACL in pre-season.

Simons is expected to feature for the Netherlands in upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania before linking up with his new Tottenham team-mates. He could make his Premier League debut later this month against West Ham.