Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons has passed up the opportunity to take a mid-season holiday.
According to talkSPORT, the Netherlands international decided to put in extra hours on the training ground ahead of this weekend’s crunch North London derby clash against Arsenal.
The 22-year-old is gradually finding his feet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following his £51.8 million move from RB Leipzig last summer.
He has only missed six Premier League games for Tottenham this season, returning a goal and four assists in 20 league appearances so far.
While those numbers may be modest in relation to his hefty price tag, Simons’ creative prowess has been clear for all to see, even during an adaptation period.
The Dutchman has created six big chances in the Premier League and four in the Champions League despite returning just a goal and an assist in eight European outings.
Simons will be keen to impress new interim Tottenham manager Igor Tudor, who was brought in to fix the mess left by his predecessor, Thomas Frank.
Gearing up for a box office North London derby
Simons and his teammates were surprisingly given nearly a week off after last week’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
That defeat put the final nail in Frank’s coffin, as he was unceremoniously dismissed despite previously expressing confidence in the backing of the board.
What makes the time off even more shocking is the fact that Tottenham’s next Premier League contest is against fierce rivals and league leaders Arsenal.
However, rather than jetting off to enjoy the holiday, Simons decided to stay back and fully prepare for what should be a mouth-watering contest.
Given his particular skill set, Tudor will hope to bring out the best in Simons. Unlocking the Dutchman’s undeniable potential will be key to steering Tottenham away from relegation danger.
Simons was just starting to find his feet in the Premier League before Frank’s departure. It remains to be seen if he can go up a notch with Tudor in the dugout.