Xavi Simons reveals why he loves the new coaching under De Zerbi at Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur’s number seven, Xavi Simons, has now opened up on his side’s gutting draw against Brighton and Hove Albion after putting in a stunning display himself.
Tottenham Hotspur had to dig deep on Saturday evening when they took on an in-form Brighton and Hove Albion side at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as they went in search of their first win in 2026.
A 2-2 draw was the final score, but Spurs came so close to walking away with all three points until Rutter’s late equaliser left the Lilywhites gutted, sending them back into the bottom three.
However, the display was one of Tottenham’s best in what has been a difficult year, and Roberto De Zerbi will hope his side can build on that performance.
Tottenham star Xavi Simons reacts after Brighton and Hove Albion draw
Right in the thick of the action was Spurs’ number seven, Xavi Simons, who was impressive from the first minute until the end of the game.
Simons produced strong underlying numbers, which were backed up by goal contributions, as he registered one assist and one goal.
His second was a worldy that flew past Verbruggen and was certainly worthy of a match-winner, but Spurs just could not hold on.
Speaking after the game, the Dutchman reflected on the team’s approach, their adaptation to Roberto De Zerbi’s style, and the frustration of conceding late.
Explaining how Spurs started and their intent on the ball, he told official Spurs channels: “We started really good today, I think really aggressive we wanted to play football as the coach said and enjoy the game I will say.
When asked about adapting to the manager’s style, he explained how much he relishes a possession-based approach and the progress being made, despite the late setback:
“Of course new coach coming in new idea of playing football as a coach that really wants the ball especially for me is something I really like and I think I can put my best game on it and improving day by day with the ball is the most important and today we tried and obviously having that late goal in the last minute yeah it hurts.”
Reflecting on his goal and the emotions around it, Simons admitted the frustration of conceding late after such effort, again speaking via official Spurs channels:
“Yeah you know it is so much hard work that maybe the people do not see. We really working hard as a team me as well as an individual player but I have said a couple of times to you guys the season did not go as you wanted but you know this is life you have to embrace it you have to take it and you have to work everyday that was kind of the moment in the last minute. I was like ooof we worked so hard and in the last minute we concede a goal it is just a shame.”
Spurs forward Xavi Simons opens up on confidence and fan support
Discussing his goal celebration and personal journey, he highlighted the challenges he has faced since arriving and his desire to contribute more consistently for Tottenham.
Simons said: “Yeah I have been through a difficult journey I was here since December you know it is life you have to take it I am still young I have to learn things and I am really happy that the coach is here for me especially I want to play football I want to score and assist I want to help the team to go through the situation to gather steam is the most important thing but yeah these are the kind of games I want to be on the pitch and I want to show everyone that I can help the team.”
On the mental side of his season and what sparked his performance, Simons pointed to the support around him and his determination to keep working:
“Yeah it has been tough for me I am not going to lie. It has been tough mentally but I am lucky I have a really good family that is always with me and stay together in these times as well. I know the people that are around me and the people that really support me day by day and I am just putting the work into it morning afternoon night and I want to really help the team and that is the most important thing and especially today that is the most important thing I think the fans were fantastic and we have to keep working cause we need to go through this.”
Finally, when addressing the fans and the team’s direction, he insisted progress is being made and acknowledged the challenge ahead:
“Yeah, I think today I have nothing to say you could see the atmosphere that was in the stadium from the first minute we as players we felt that as well. And what I can say is we are really working hard to go through the situation new manager is coming in so we have to adapt on things but what I can say we are going in the right direction we going to work hard for sure in the last six five games is going to be hard.”
On his injury, he confirmed it was only a minor issue:
“Just cramps.”
- READ MORE: Roberto De Zerbi is confident Tottenham can finish on a whopping 46 points to beat relegation
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