Spurs have acquired a new ‘superstar’ who is ‘like a son’

Tottenham Hotspur are in a bit of a predicament. There is no guarantee that Igor Tudor’s side will avoid being eliminated from the Premier League this season, making plans for the future difficult and uncertain.

Such a situation would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago, with Thomas Frank’s tenure coming to a halt, but Spurs currently find themselves 10 games without a win in the top flight and, although they hold the last place in the relegation zone, just four points behind their London rivals and four points behind West Ham United, who have far outpaced their recent form.

Pound for pound, Tottenham field one of the strongest teams in England’s top flight. Of course, injuries have taken a toll on consistency, but the healthy N17 players are still struggling and need to step up their game quickly.

Chief among them would be Xavi Simmons. He will continue to have a role this season, but his long-term spot in the starting lineup is already under threat.

Why Simmons is struggling with the Spurs

With James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski out injured since last summer, you would think Simmons would have the foundation to develop into a high-profile playmaker in the Premier League.

He has a platform but hasn’t found his feet.

The recent defeat against Fulham highlighted Spurs’ lackluster attacking display. The hosts took the spoils and, despite being on the back foot throughout, a brutal strike from Richarlison saved them from a dangerous situation.

A £52 million deal from RB Leipzig was snapped up by Richarlison after a dismal performance, but it lasted less than an hour. The Brazilian forward obviously scored, and Matthijs Tell also played well off the bench.

Simons was a true Bundesliga star, a class presence with the world at his feet. The realities of Premier League football have gripped him like a vice, and it would be understandable if ENIC Group were to consider another creative midfielder this summer.

Tottenham need to make changes, but their options are limited at the moment. But the club has learned a lot from recent mistakes, and as new playmaking avenues are explored, the Chiefs may find a prospect who could step in Simmons’ way.

Young Spurs players who could replace Simmons

Tottenham have let go of some of their sharpest attacking players in recent years without effectively replacing them. Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are outstanding there.

In particular, Son’s absence has been sorely missed since he moved to LAFC last summer, and new players such as Simmons and Randal Kolo Muani have not been able to fill the void.

There is little to do now other than hope Tudor’s side avoid relegation, but in the future Spurs may find a new talisman in Yang Min-hyuk, who has been at the club since last summer and spent the first half of the season on loan to Championship side Portsmouth before moving to title-chasing Coventry City in January.

Tottenham have many shortcomings, but they are prudent and effective when it comes to their academy system. Min-hyuk’s contract was agreed in 2024 and he has since developed into a promising young forward, praised by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “enthusiastic” with Pompey at the start of the season.

One South Korean soccer expert said Son Heung-min is expected to become a “superstar like Son Heung-min” and that the two countries share more than just international allegiance. In fact, Min-hyuk is one of the most exciting young wingers in the industry, as versatile and dynamic as his iconic compatriot.

Although he is yet to make his first-team debut for Tottenham, the pacy youngster has huge potential and could pose a danger to Simmons if he secures a first-team spot next year.

Of course, Simmons isn’t quite a complete winger, but he often drifts wide and takes up a role in the left channel.

Especially if the 22-year-old Simmons ends up competing with Maddison and Kulusevski for the Central spot, the Korean will likely hurt him in that way.

In the end, the rise of a talented young forward will only be good for Spurs, but Simmons will need to operate at a higher level to protect himself from the horrors of such a rise. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case this season.