Thomas Frank compares Florian Wirtz’s woes at Liverpool to struggling Spurs star

Tottenham splashed out £52million to sign Xavi Simons in the summer transfer window and are yet to see the Dutchman’s best, much like Liverpool with Florian Witz

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says Xavi Simons will need time to settle, just like Florian Wirtz following his record move to Liverpool.

Spurs paid RB Leipzig £52million to sign Simons after missing out on Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White. The Dutchman was also courted by Chelsea and arrived in the Premier League with a good reputation, having contributed 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 appearances for Leipzig.

But he has made a sluggish start for Tottenham, with just one assist in eight appearances so far – and that came from a corner in his first match on September 13. His slow start is comparable to Wirtz, who is yet to record a single goal contribution in 10 games for Liverpool after they paid Bayer Leverkusen £116m for his services.

“I think that’s a very good question and also a very good comparison with Wirtz,” Frank said when presented with the comparison in a press conference before Spurs play Monaco on Wednesday. “Also a very good player, just like Xavi, a very good player. Coming into a new country, a new club, new city. [They] just need to settle in.

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“And it is part of it. We’re all getting judged every game but we also need to see the little bit bigger perspective and see it over time. I always look for glimpses and bits of pieces we’re working at.

“For example, Xavi, I think there were some good bits. Worked with him and asked him more to be arriving in the box, which when I looked at the game back he did. Was there the big eye-catching moment? No. But there were good glimpses so I think it’s constantly going a bit in the right direction.”

Both Simons and Wirtz are playmakers who have been fielded in a No.10 position without much success so far. Liverpool play Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday night following a run of four straight defeats.

Wirtz came off the bench in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United and played in central midfield, but once again couldn’t make an impact. He started the Reds’ last Champions League game, against Galatasaray, but has only been used off the bench since then.

Nevertheless, Arne Slot has hinted that he could be handed a start in Frankfurt. “Special for Florian [Wirtz] as well to go back to Germany and play there,” he said.

“Special for Jeremie Frimpong because he was also, like Florian and like Hugo [Ekitike], so successful in Germany. For the three of them, it’s nice to play in Germany again.”

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