More exciting than Simons: Spurs chasing "one of the best LWs in the world"

[ad_1] Thomas Frank have to be questioning what the fuss is all about. Managing Tottenham Hotspur is not that difficult, is it? Assume once more.

Spurs kicked off their Premier League marketing campaign with back-to-back wins over Burnley and Manchester Metropolis. They even led PSG 2-0 within the UEFA Tremendous Cup. Nevertheless, a mini disaster is at all times across the nook at Spurs.

Whereas disaster could also be pushing it a bit, their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday did elevate some alarm bells. The Cherries managed 20 pictures. Spurs managed simply 5 and didn't create a single huge likelihood.

Effectively, the arrival of Xavi Simons ought to actually assist in that regard, however is there extra to return for the Lilywhites? Fairly probably.

Spurs switch deadline day plans If there's one space that Spurs might recruit in through the dying hours of the switch window, it is in assault the place you sense some high quality remains to be left to be discovered.

Numerous gamers, together with Ademola Lookman and Savinho have been touted, with each gamers hoping to maneuver earlier than the window slams shut.

Savinho, particularly, is pushing for a transfer to north London and has been left pissed off by Manchester Metropolis's stance this summer season.

Effectively, it will seem another has been lined up. In keeping with The Unbiased this Sunday, one participant Spurs are mentioned to be 'wanting' at is AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

The report states that Spurs would 'desire' to signal a winger earlier than 7pm on Monday, though a transfer for Leao is seen as a troublesome one to do at this second in time.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="AC Milan's Rafael Leao before the match" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ac-milan-s-rafael-leao-before-the-match.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ac-milan-s-rafael-leao-before-the-match.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> AC Milan's Rafael Leao earlier than the match

Why Leao is as thrilling as Simons After James Maddison suffered an ACL damage it was crucial that Spurs went out and signed one other no.10.

They failed with their pursuit of Eberechi Eze nevertheless it issues no extra so far as Frank and Co are involved. Simons is now a Spurs participant.

He was unveiled in entrance of Tottenham supporters previous to the defeat to Bournemouth and he should have been wishing he was on the sphere to assist his new teammates.

Assist is strictly what he'll present, particularly from a artistic standpoint. He is additionally a goalscorer and will rework this Spurs assault.

In 2024/25, the previous Leipzig man scored 11 targets and provided eight assists. The marketing campaign prior, the younger Dutchman was even higher, netting ten occasions and registering 15 assists.

Simons - Bundesliga (2024/25)

Stats (per 90)

Tally

Video games

25

Targets & assists

17

Go accuracy

83%

Possibilities created

2.2

Profitable dribbles

1.4

Tackles received

75%

Duels received

5.7

Stats by way of FotMob

But, Leao, who has been inflicting chaos for Champions League defences lately, could be an much more thrilling addition.

The first cause is that, within the phrases of knowledge analyst Ben Mattinson, he's "probably the greatest left wingers on this planet".

Why is that the case? Effectively, again in 2022, Milan coach Stefano Pioli mentioned: "Leao jogs my memory plenty of the early Thierry Henry, who began broad then got here inside."

It is secure to say he is probably the most fascinating forwards on this planet, one thing backed up by the numbers. In 2024/25, the Portuguese winger scored 12 occasions and in addition offered 13 assists in all competitions. One 12 months prior, the electrical speedster scored 15 and managed 14 assists.

He is a duel menace full of velocity, chaos and power. He is like a youthful Heung-min Son in that sense.

During the last 12 months, the 26-year-old ranks inside the highest 4% of wingers in Europe's prime 5 leagues for profitable take-ons. He is so energetic and that capacity to beat a participant and get in behind a backline might be game-changing alongside Simons.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring their first goal" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ac-milan-s-rafael-leao-celebrates-scoring-their-first-goal.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ac-milan-s-rafael-leao-celebrates-scoring-their-first-goal.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring their first objective

The Netherlands worldwide is an excellent pick-up for Spurs however Leao is a real game-changer. He is been famend as probably the greatest wingers in European soccer for plenty of years now and could be the maverick ahead Frank wants to actually push on domestically and on the continent this season.