All posts by n8rngtd.top

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has named Arsenal’s David Raya among the top three goalkeepers in the world at the moment. The Belgian praised Raya’s outstanding form this season, with Arsenal yet to concede a goal in the Champions League. However, Courtois noted that Raya still faces strong competition at international level and must overcome the challenge posed by Unai Simon if he hopes to become Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper.

• Battle for the No.1 Spot in Spanish team

  Raya, who joined Arsenal from Brentford in 2023, has firmly established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, overtaking Aaron Ramsdale soon after his arrival. This season, he has been instrumental in Arsenal’s rise to the top of the table, keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding only five goals across all competitions. His form has been particularly impressive in the Champions League, where Arsenal are yet to concede a single goal.

  Despite his strong club performances, Raya faces stiff competition at international level. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has consistently preferred Athletic Club’s Simon since taking charge, keeping the battle for the No. 1 spot highly competitive. Simon has been trusted in key moments, starting for Spain during their 2023 Nations League triumph and their Euro 2024 victory. Spain’s defensive record under De la Fuente has been exceptional. They are unbeaten in 31 competitive matches, surpassing the streak set by Vicente del Bosque’s World Cup-winning team, and have conceded only two goals in their last six fixtures while keeping five straight clean sheets.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Courtois' praise for Raya

  In an interview with , Courtois named Raya as one of the top three keepers in the world currently, saying: "Oblak is playing at a very high level this year. I really like Allison, even though he's injured. And I also really like David Raya."

  He added: "Arsenal are having a great season, they're conceding very few goals and Raya already had a great season last year."

  However Courtois believes Raya will have to work hard if he has to usurp Simon and that is a part of healthy competition. 

  "Although Unai is also a great goalkeeper and is performing extremely well for the national team, so he deserves to keep playing," he added. "That's football and competition for you. I think Luis de la Fuente is clear about this and Raya will have to wait for his chance. But it's healthy competition, especially in goal, because if you concede two goals, the manager can't hesitate and it's always more difficult to substitute one player." 

• Is Courtois the world's best goalkeeper ?

  Courtois joined Madrid on a free transfer in 2018 and has since established himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers. He has made 337 appearances for the club, keeping an impressive 137 clean sheets. During his time in Madrid, Courtois has won two Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns, playing a decisive role in many of those triumphs. His performances on the international stage have also been exceptional, winning the Golden Glove with Belgium at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the Lev Yashin Trophy in 2022. This season, he has already recorded six clean sheets across all competitions, as Madrid sit atop La Liga and seventh in the Champions League standings.

  Courtois, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, agreed with this notion but emphasised that opinions will always vary. He said: "I'm definitely one of the best, but it depends on each person's taste and everyone is free to have their own opinion. And, in the end, what I have to do is help my club and what people think."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Madrid's upcoming Elche challenge

  Courtois missed international duty with Belgium as he remained at Madrid’s training camp to recover from an injury. However, the Belgian goalkeeper will aim to regain full fitness and return to the matchday squad when Madrid travel to Elche on Sunday.

Ex-England seamer takes six wickets before classy century builds healthy overnight lead

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Sep-2025Sussex 228 for 5 (Coles 102, Simpson 62*) lead Worcestershire 123 (Lategan 41, Robinson 6-68, Unadkat 4-43) by 105 runsOllie Robinson produced a reminder of his capabilities with a stunning six-wicket haul as Sussex took charge on day one of their Division One clash against Worcestershire.Taking two wickets in the first over of the match, Robinson went on to finish with season-best figures of 6 for 68 as he and Jaydev Unadkat combined to skittle Worcestershire for 123.James Coles then registered a measured century during a dominant afternoon session for the visitors, in which skipper John Simpson made 62 not out as Sussex finished the day 228 for 5, leading by 105 runs. Earlier, Dan Lategan (41) top-scored for the home side, with contributions from Matthew Waite and Gareth Roderick the only other scores of note.Returning to action for the first time since Saturday’s One Day Cup final triumph, already relegated Worcestershire were brought back down to earth with a bump, as a searing spell from Robinson saw the former England seamer take four wickets in the first hour of the match.Youngster Rehaan Edavalath was caught behind with the third ball of the match, before Pears skipper Jake Libby’s off stump was sent cartwheeling after facing just one ball as the Pears fell to 1 for 2.19-year-old Lategan provided a classy counter-attacking cameo for the hosts, easing the ball through the vacant offside whenever the opportunity arose, but Robinson continued his unrelenting start to the morning, claiming two further scalps, including that of first-class debutant Isaac Mohammed who was pinned lbw. A sobering opening hour was rounded off with the dismissal of Rob Jones, who suffered the same fate, leaving his side in a heap at 36 for 4.Lategan continued to regroup, but Worcestershire’s woes deepened with Gareth Roderick (22) caught behind after an encouraging start to his innings off the bowling of Unadkat. Robinson then collected his fifth wicket of a superb spell by removing the key man, Lategan, for his resolute 41.Robinson almost secured his sixth wicket in a morning session dominated by the bowlers, but the umpires were not convinced Simpson had held onto a rebound catch behind, as lunch was taken with Worcestershire 91 for 6.Unadkat picked up where he left off after the resumption as Ethan Brookes became his second victim with a regulation catch provided to Coles at slip.Unadkat took his season tally of wickets to 13, after removing Tom Taylor caught behind for nine and trapping Ben Allison in front without scoring as the Pears’ landslide continued.Robinson completed his six-fer with the wicket of Waite, who was the last man out for 33 as Worcestershire were dismissed for 123.Worcestershire hit back in resilient fashion as Ben Allison led the way in an inspired early spell, taking three wickets to help reduce Sussex to 67 for 4.The seamer first trapped Hughes lbw for 24, then took a stunning one-handed caught-and-bowled to remove Carter, before bowling Alsop for just one. At the other end, Taylor took his 51st Championship wicket of the season to drag the hosts back into the contest.Simpson and Coles led the Sussex revival however, dominating an afternoon session that saw the fifth-wicket pair add 90 runs before tea, with Coles reaching a fluent fifty in the process.Both batters moved past 1,000 first-class for the season during the evening session, with Coles reaching his century from 105 balls, before he was bowled by Ben Gibbon as Simpson and bad light closed out a dominant day for the visitors.

Fast bowler impressed in maiden Tests in 2023 but has barely bowled a ball since

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Mar-2025The 2025 season will be Josh Tongue’s second as a Nottinghamshire player. It speaks to the way things have gone for the fast bowler that he is excited to finally make his debut for the club.Tongue is no stranger to long periods on the sidelines. A previous 15-month stint prior to the 2023 summer led him to contemplate retirement and a move into coaching at the age of 25. He was suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome – a condition where nerves or blood vessel between the neck and shoulder are compressed – but Botox injections to alleviate the pressure (and pain) saved Tongue’s career.This time around, a rupture of his right pectoral muscle during the Hundred in August 2023 was followed by an aggravation at the start of last season. Having dealt with that issue, he was on the cusp of returning to action in Notts Outlaws’ T20 Blast campaign, but then he tore his hamstring. It was only at the start of 2025, on England Lions’ tour of Australia, that he made his competitive comeback.Indeed, 2024 was a bitter blow for Tongue given the strides he had made in between the two lay-offs. Having impressed on a Lions tour to Sri Lanka at the start of 2023, Tongue was thrust onto the international stage that summer, playing both Lord’s Test matches, against Ireland and Australia. He took five wickets on debut against the former, before pocketing Steve Smith twice on his Ashes bow, having already dismissed him earlier in the season for Worcestershire while Smith was playing for Sussex. He was also part of England’s limited-overs plans.Josh Tongue claimed a five-for on Test debut against Ireland•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesThat window netted Tongue the security of a two-year central contract with the ECB, who were enamoured by his high pace and impressive movement off the pitch and through the air. And the experience, along with the 10 wickets at 25.70, gave the 27-year-old something to hold onto during the toughest moments.”It was just like the end of the world,” Tongue said. “It was like, ‘How’s that happened? Really?’ Going through all my pec stuff, and then all of a sudden, I do one sprint session at Loughborough, and you just feel your hammy.”It’s just so cruel. But what I’ve been through in the past, I think that’s helped me mentally. Getting the right support around that has definitely helped me to where I am now.”I was out first with my thoracic outlet for 16 to 17 months, and then within the five, six months after that, I was playing for England. It just happened so quickly. So it’s just making sure, mentally, I’m in a good place, getting the right support. And even at Notts, Chris Marshall, our psychologist, helped me a lot during last summer. That just gives me the drive and the dedication to play for England again.”The winter has been very encouraging. Tongue attended a Lions bowling camp in South Africa last November, which led into the tour of Australia at the start of this year. His appearance against a CA XI on January 22 was his first since turning out for Manchester Originals against Southern Brave on August 23, 2023.Though Tongue went wicketless in that match, and the one-off unofficial Test match against Australia A, progress has been steady. His speeds over the off-season were consistently around the 90mph mark, and he is noticeably broader in the shoulders and chest than he was two years ago. His progress may have been stunted, but his development has not. Naturally, the ECB will carefully tailor his start to the season. It is unlikely he will play back-to-back rounds in the County Championship.”It was amazing to be back out on the field,” Tongue said. “Being out for that long, definitely, I wasn’t where I wanted to be in terms of how I was bowling. But for being out for 18 months, I knew that was going to happen. There were still snippets of my spells where I thought I was sort of back to where I was in ’23. But as the winter’s gone on, I feel like I’m getting better and better.”Related

• Josh Tongue, Sam Cook dig in to salvage draw for England Lions

• Essex embark on new reality in English cricket

• Rory Burns reaps the benefit as Surrey set sights on four in a row

• Hollioake channels Hollywood as he comes out swinging with Kent

• Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson ready to have it all – again

As expected from someone who does not want to take fitness for granted, he stopped short of admitting he had his sights set on a return to Test cricket this summer and the Ashes further along.Even the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at the end of May was waved away as something to aim for, despite the neatness of it taking place at Trent Bridge. Tongue’s focus right now is making sure he puts in performances at his home ground for his club before wondering what lies on the horizon for his country.”It’s everyone’s dream to play in an Ashes series away, and it’s natural to think like that – but I’m the sort of bloke who is focusing in the present. I don’t want to think too far in the future, because anything could happen in six, seven months.”There’s been a few people speaking about it [playing in the Zimbabwe Test]. But I want to get through that first block of Champos and make sure I’m bowling well. That’s the main thing, and my body’s holding up as well.”It is very weird,” he said of having not yet played for Nottinghamshire. “Signing, how many months ago during that Ashes (2023), but I haven’t played one game here. I’ve played here for Worcestershire and in the Hundred, but I haven’t played one game for Notts yet. But I’m looking forward to it.”

Manchester United are reportedly battling Arsenal and Real Madrid to complete the signing of a quick Bundesliga defender.

The left-back situation at Old Trafford is one that Ruben Amorim will be keeping an eye on, with his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation requiring a player who can excel in a left wing-back role.

Luke Shaw has been used more as one of the three centre-backs for United this season, with age and injuries arguably making it harder for him to be the marauding force that he used to be down the left flank.

Meanwhile, Patrick Dorgu is a good player with plenty of promise at wing-back, providing power and quality, and Diogo Dalot’s versatility allows him to do a job on both the left and the right.

United could need to look at more depth moving forward, however, especially with Shaw never too far away from an injury absence, and it looks as though Nathaniel Brown has emerged as a strong option in that area of the pitch.

Man Utd keen on signing £56m-rated Brown

According to a fresh update from Bild [via Sport Witness], Manchester United are in the mix to sign Brown from Frankfurt, but Arsenal and Madrid are providing stiff competition.

He is said to be “on their radar” as they eye up fresh faces in 2026, with the German left-back a new target for the Red Devils who is valued at £56m.

Brown stands out as an exciting target for United, with Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche heaping praise on his many qualities as a player.

“Yes! Because he has three exceptional abilities that you can’t learn. He’s smart and tactically astute, has fantastic technique, and is very fast. And all of that is necessary to have a great career ahead of him. Now is the wrong time to think about who might leave us and when. They’re both young and should stay with us a while longer.

“Can (Uzun) has developed tremendously compared to last year. It’s a shame he’s injured now. And Nene (Brown) is simply exceptional. He’s made outstanding progress, especially when it comes to defending at a high level. Just look at how he plays against top opponents in the Champions League.”

At 22, Brown would be a long-term addition for United, challenging Dorgu for minutes, and he will surely add to his one solitary cap for Germany at senior international level as the years pass.

Berta given edge over Man Utd in race for 2026 free agent with strong Arsenal connection

Andrea Berta could secure a bargain next year.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Nov 15, 2025

He has averaged five tackles per game in the Champions League this season, highlighting his tenacity off the ball, while three assists in all competitions shows he can also create in the attacking third.

"Explosive" Dorgu star can take new Man Utd role when Amad & Mbeumo go to AFCON

There were low expectations heading into the tournament on the back of a 10-game losing streak, but captain Sophie Devine has instilled a belief

Shashank Kishore14-Oct-2024Shortly after Amelia Kerr claimed Sadia Iqbal’s wicket to seal New Zealand’s first T20 World Cup semi-final since 2016, Sophie Devine was pulled into a team huddle. Devine’s first instinct was to wait until the reserves joined in. As the group got together, Devine was overcome with emotions.Tears flowed liberally. Suzie Bates embraced her in a warm hug, Katey Martin, the former wicketkeeper, who was to do a post-match segment on TV, joined in. Leigh Kasperek, who’d been running drinks and can be a claimant for the softest voice in the team, belted out a roar.Related

• Powerplay podcast: An unexpected final

• The Soph and Suze show – New Zealand's hit sitcom seeks one last high

• NZ knock Pakistan (and India) out; secure first T20 World Cup semi spot in eight years

• Powerplay podcast: India OUT as New Zealand get it together

Amelia, an icon not just for her all-round exploits but for her openness about mental health battles that have triggered winds of change within the system, had her arms aloft and eyes closed to soak in the moment before sister Jessica gave her a hug.Izzy Gaze, among the youngest in the group and in her first World Cup, was so overjoyed she wasn’t sure whether to run to the dugout first or to meet her family who were in the stands. For fast bowler Lea Tahuhu, it was a call, possibly back home to her partner, former New Zealand batter Amy Satterthwaite, who took a step back post her retirement to be there for their kids, one of them barely four months old.For Eden Carson, the architect of their first win against India that set up their campaign, this was a vindication of her brave call to have put on hold a career in veterinary nursing. Delivering a knockout blow to Pakistan while securing their semi-final, brought her a Player of the Match award medal that she couldn’t take her eyes off.Rosemary Mair didn’t know she’d be on the plane for the World Cup when she was diagnosed with a back injury in March. But all through her time in rehab, Devine kept pepping her up to say the World Cup would be her grand stage for a comeback. Words that initially soothed pain turned prophetic. When Mair knocked over Sidra Amin’s middle stump, the ecstatic yelp told you what it meant.For Georgia Plimmer, it meant so much that the first person she turned to was Devine. Plimmer had averaged 9.11 in her first 18 T20Is and was only marginally better – averaging 13.80 – in her first nine ODIs up until last November. Devine and New Zealand coach Ben Sawyer’s backed her through this.

The belief’s huge at the moment, so we will celebrate tonight and enjoy that and spend some quality time together as a group. But yeah, we know that the job’s only half done nowSophie Devine

When Plimmer hit 139-ball 147 for Wellington against Northern Districts in a domestic game, it was validation of Sawyer and Devine’s early impressions of watching a precociously talented young girl who had potential but not the scores to justify being in the conversation. At the World Cup, Plimmer’s crucial half-century in a match-winning effort against Sri Lanka set their campaign back on track.Plimmer’s recent performances – she hit her maiden T20I fifty on the tour of Australia just before the World Cup – have somewhat justified Devine’s decision to bat lower down, not because she likes it, but because it’s what New Zealand need looking at the future, especially when Devine and Bates retire.It’s these stories, of hope, grit, resolve and an unwavering never-say-die spirit that remained intact all through their 10-match losing streak coming into the tournament, that came together at that huddle which Devine wanted everyone to join in.It was an exhibition of a leadership trait Devine has imbibed on the long road towards building the future, while allowing her younger players an environment to flourish even if results were as abysmal as they were. Those results are now beginning to show.Last year in South Africa, Devine sat through a press conference asking questions about New Zealand’s decline and their inability to cross the group stages. Here in the UAE, the mood at the end of the group stage wasn’t as sombre. There were tears; these were happy tears.Devine was swelled with emotions of a “proud mum”, not necessarily the “cool mum they want me to be,” for defying expectations and trying conditions to make that step up when “no one expected us to be here.”In a way, the journey of 18 months hasn’t just been a journey in team building but one of constant readjustment for Devine. A readjustment of methods, mindsets, mental make-up and also player-management – essentially an “all-in-one” role with support from the team management.Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine toast New Zealand’s semi-final sealing win•ICC/Getty Images”When I stepped into the leadership and captaincy role I thought I could be everything to everyone and it’s just not possible,” she said. “And the great thing is with our leadership group is that we’ve got people that connect stronger with certain people and that’s natural when you’re in groups.”So, for me to be able to lean on those people if I need them to check on someone or to have a conversation, to be able to lean on them if I feel like I’m not the best person to do that. That’s probably been one of my biggest learnings, because I want to fix things and I want to help people and I want to make sure everyone’s okay, but I’m also not that person for everyone.”This is where Devine underlined how important her core group has been, of which Bates and Amelia have been an integral part. “I feel really fortunate that I’ve got that support around me,” she said. “It’s not managing people, it’s just relationships and caring about people.”That’s one of our greatest values in this White Ferns group; we speak a lot about caring for one another as people before cricketers and I hope that you can see that out there with the way that we celebrate one another’s successes.”We genuinely just love each other and love seeing each other succeed which makes it so much sweeter when you get results like you do tonight. The belief’s huge at the moment, so we will celebrate tonight and enjoy that and spend some quality time together as a group. But yeah, we know that the job’s only half done now.”

Wayne Rooney has sought to bring an end to his supposed feud with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. The Manchester United legend has found himself caught up in a war of words with the Netherlands international, with the pair coming face-to-face during an awkward television exchange after Van Dijk helped Liverpool to a Champions League win over Real Madrid.

• Van Dijk's reaction to 'lazy criticism' from Rooney

  Ahead of that game, with the Reds having endured a testing run in the 2025-26 campaign, Rooney suggested that Van Dijk is among those to have allowed lofty standards to slip in a Premier League title defence. He is not the only prominent figure at Anfield to fall into that category.

  The commanding centre-half is, however, club captain on Merseyside and is expected to lead by example – calling in-house meetings if required in a bid to get to the bottom of why a run of six defeats in seven was allowed to happen.

  Van Dijk responded to comments from ex-England captain Rooney by saying: "I didn't hear him last year. It doesn't hurt me. Just to come back to this particular player, obviously a legend, a big player of the game who inspired so many, I can say only positive things but I feel that comment is just I would say it's a bit of a lazy criticism."

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Liverpool captain sent out for post-match press duty

  Rooney doubled down on his claims, only to then be confronted by Van Dijk after the Dutchman was sent out for post-match press duty with after Liverpool battled to a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in European competition. He said when picking up a microphone next to Rooney, with team gatherings at Anfield being addressed: "It is easy to say now because we won twice in a row that it helped pretty well but in a world of chaos you have to try and stay calm and take perspective of things. In that meeting the time was October, so much football to be played, so many twists and turns that can happen and I think at times the noise was a lot (said with a small smile on his face). I think it is very important to put things in perspective, keep your head down and work and get out the situation because the quality we have, that is not the issue. It is about keep working and keep going."

• Rooney responds to awkward exchange with Van Dijk

  Rooney looked slightly uncomfortable when being faced with Van Dijk, but told his podcast for : "I thought he was good that night, and I had loads of people say, 'Oh, when he came up to you,' I think fair play to him for coming out. We didn’t know he was coming out. It was meant to be [Dominik] Szoboszlai, I think, to come to the table. But I think fair play to him, he came out and he put his point across.

  "Listen, Virgil van Dijk over the last five, four years has been one of, if not, the best centre-backs in the world, and his performances have dipped over the last few weeks.

  "I’ve had my opinion on that; he has his own, which you have to respect. But when you’re the Premier League champions, teams are coming for you, and when you don’t win one game, people ask questions. So, when you don’t win four games in a row, of course, there are questions of the captain. I think I said it a few weeks ago on here, what he should be and he will be doing is getting the players together.

  "I think he said that he got the players together and took them for a meal or something, trying to bring that chemistry back, and that’s what I was saying he should be doing as a captain, and he’s done that. It certainly seemed to help in the Madrid game. He’s a fantastic player, but he hasn’t started the season great. You want to see good players playing well, and he performed well [against Real Madrid]. So, for him, I’m sure for Liverpool, he hopes that continues."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Liverpool fixtures: Man City clash next up for the Reds

  Rooney added after being asked when it became apparent that Van Dijk would be joining him for an on-air discussion: "When he was there, and I think it's great. No disrespect to Szoboszlai, but I'd rather speak to Van Dijk."

  He went on to say: "I think the issue is, when you don't play well and you're not winning games, as Premier League champions, everyone's going to have an opinion. And, of course, when you're not playing well or you're not winning games that opinion, they're going to look at why and give their thoughts why. Liverpool can use this in two different ways: they can let it affect them or they can use it to spur them on.

  "You look at Man United over the last few years, the criticism that they've had. I played the game, I was captain of England, captain of Man United. I got criticised for for all kinds. That's part of being a top player. You have to deal with that. You have to accept it at times. Listen, I was unfair with my comments, I'd be the first to hold my hands up. Same way I did with Man United when I had a rant about them and then they won games, and I come back on that. If I was unfair, I'd be fair to hold my hands up."

  Rooney maintains that his comments were fair, with it the role of a pundit to offer opinions that may not be universally well received, and he will be an interested observer on Sunday when Van Dijk and Liverpool head to the Etihad Stadium for a heavyweight showdown with old adversaries Manchester City.

Lauren Filer’s 3 for 8 backed up by two wickets each for Kathryn Bryce, Mahika Gaur and Sophie Ecclestone

ECB Media13-Aug-2025An astonishing bowling performance from a high-class Manchester Originals attack saw them stroll to a facile seven-wicket win with 19 balls to spare to further their chances of progression as the Hundred women’s competition hots up.With her side having elected to bowl first, England starlet Mahika Gaur backed up her spell against London Spirit, bowling 20 of the first 25 balls to leave Welsh Fire in disarray at 12 for 2. She saw the back of England team-mates Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont in a spell where she made the ball talk and finished with 2 for 10.Incredibly, Gaur’s figures were not the best on display. Sophie Ecclestone was typically excellent, dismissing the dangerous Hayley Matthews and Georgia Elwiss while conceding just 11 runs from her allocation while the most economical figures of the afternoon went to Lauren Filer, who dismissed Sarah Bryce and Emily Windsor in successive balls to snuff out any chance of Welsh Fire posting a defendable target. She added the wicket of Jess Jonassen in the same set of five to return the remarkable figure of 3 for 8 in her 20 balls.Kathryn Bryce took two wickets in the final set to finish with 2 for 10 as Fire ended with a hugely underwhelming 73 for 9.When Originals batted, it was all about the win, Kathryn Bryce and Seren Smale taking their time to ensure there were no hiccups after the early dismissals of overseas stars Beth Mooney and Melie Kerr. Katherine Bryce was stumped late on by sister Sarah for a studied 45 off 41 with five boundaries but it was too little too late as the Originals made it two from four.Meerkat Match Hero Gaur said: “It feels really good. It was a great effort by the bowlers. The conditions were good and it was swinging early so I’m really happy with that. The last game was so close; it just shows that when we play at our best, we can beat any team in this competition.”

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is believed to be privately unimpressed with summer signing Xavi Simons.

Simons’ arrival for £52 million in the summer window brought serious excitement with it, especially after James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of 2025/2026 with an ACL injury he sustained in pre-season.

With Dejan Kulusevski also still on the recovery trail from a knee problem, which forced him to miss Tottenham’s Europa League triumph, Simons was viewed as the answer to Frank’s shortage of creative options in the final third.

However, it has been a slow start for the Dutchman.

Thus far, Simons’ only goal contribution has come from a dead-ball situation, with the 22-year-old setting up Pape Sarr to head home from a corner away to West Ham in September.

This was during Simons’ Premier League debut for his new side, but since that glorious moment at the London Stadium, the ex-PSG sensation has largely struggled to make an impact.

His north London numbers are in stark contrast to his final campaign at Leipzig. Simons bagged 17 goal contributions in just 25 top flight outings, all while averaging a solid two shots on goal per 90 minutes.

Frank has repeatedly stood up for Simons when asked about his dwindling form by the media, with the Spurs head coach even making a comparison to Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz.

There have even been suggestions that Simons isn’t actually a playmaker at all, and Frank apparently needs to realise this sooner rather than later.

Perhaps the forward’s best position is out wide.

Simons played seven of his last 2025 Bundesliga matches for Leipzig on the left — a position which Frank has also utilised him.

The former La Masia gem was used as a winger against West Ham, Wolves, Everton and Villarreal in the Champions League, but again, he struggled to contribute in the final third.

How Thomas Frank really feels about Xavi Simons at Tottenham

In any case, he needs to start delivering sooner rather than later, with Dutch analyst Johan Derksen criticising the attacker on Vandaag Inside this week.

Derksen believes that Simons is “failing” at Tottenham and Frank is “unhappy” with his summer signing, going on to state that he lacks the speed and strength to succeed in England.

There is still plenty of time for the Netherlands international to adapt, and you can make a serious case that all the comments aimed his way are pretty harsh considering he only arrived a couple of months ago.

There is a settling in period for some foreign players, but the same cannot be said for Dominic Solanke.

According to other reports, Frank has seen enough of the experienced Premier League striker, despite Solanke playing just 49 minutes in total since the Dane arrived.

Thomas Frank makes Dominic Solanke decision with January exit possibility revealed

Frank now unimpressed by £140k-p/w Tottenham star, may replace him in January

The Spurs boss doesn’t fancy one of his players, who Ange Postecoglou described as “fantastic.”

By
Dominic Lund

Oct 27, 2025