Thomas Frank can truly unlock Xavi Simons at Spurs with major change vs Bodo/Glimt
Thomas Frank needs to make one tactical tweak to ensure he gets the best out of midfielder Xavi Simons.
Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Wolves was a rare setback for Frank, with Joao Palhinha’s late goal rescuing a point against the Premier League’s bottom club.
Frank, though, has only suffered one defeat so far in charge of Spurs, and the north London club continue their Champions League campaign against Bodo/Glimt next.
Spurs knocked Bodo/Glimt out of the Europa League at the semi-final stage last season on their way to winning the competition, and Simons could be a key player for them in the match.
Thomas Frank should move Xavi Simons into number 10 role
Simons joined Spurs from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window and has registered only an assist in five matches so far.
The 22-year-old can play either as a number 10 or out wide, and Frank has deployed the Dutchman mainly on the left flank.
However, Simons can be more effective in central areas, with his 30 minute cameo off the bench at Brighton helping Spurs come back to claim a point.
Simons had three shots during his time on the pitch, whilst in the last match against Wolves on the wing, he had no shots and zero influence.
With moving Simons centrally too, Frank can utilise a natural winger like Brennan Johnson or Wilson Odobert in the team.
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Lucas Bergvall took up the number 10 role against Wolves, but the 19-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder who can be better in a pair in front of the back four.
Against Bodo/Glimt, Spurs should see plenty of possession, and so getting Simons on the ball in dangerous areas and in pockets of space will create more problems than keeping him out on the wing.
As per FBref [29 September], Simons’ stats currently rank closest to the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alex Iwobi, who are all central players.
Frank can afford to be a bit more adventurous in these matches where Spurs are expected to win.
Without James Maddison or Dejan Kulusevski, Simons can replace the creative void those two would bring to the team.