Micky van de Ven has pointed to new signing Xavi Simons as the potential key to unlocking Tottenham’s recent struggles in the final third. The defender believes his compatriot’s creative spark is precisely what the team needs after a run of performances that have lacked offensive invention.
Following injuries to key attackers and a shift in the frontline, Spurs have appeared less dynamic going forward. Their form has consequently dipped over the past several weeks. Simons, a late acquisition from RB Leipzig, is still settling in but has already provided glimpses of his quality, contributing to goals against West Ham and in the recent European fixture.
“He’s a top player who can produce moments of real magic,” stated Van de Ven, who also found the net in the midweek match. “His cameo off the bench was impressive, and you can immediately see the creative flair he brings.”
Van de Ven, who captained the side for the first time in the absence of Cristian Romero, revealed he has taken a mentoring role with Simons. He highlighted the player’s multilingualism as a significant advantage for integrating into the squad.
“I communicate with him frequently,” Van de Ven explained. “He’s able to connect with many of the lads because he speaks several languages. My role is to assist him with whatever he needs, both on and off the pitch.”
While acknowledging a difficult start in their last outing, where they found themselves two goals down, the defender chose to emphasize the team’s resilience in fighting back to secure a draw. He described it as a demonstration of the squad’s strong mentality, even when not performing at their peak.
Reflecting on the honor of wearing the armband in a Champions League match, Van de Ven called it a proud moment and the fulfillment of a childhood dream. He is expected to be part of the official leadership group set to be announced by the manager.
