{"id":46528,"date":"2026-04-30T00:10:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T04:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/spurs-have-finally-found-their-new-modric\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T00:10:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T04:10:10","slug":"spurs-have-finally-found-their-new-modric","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/spurs-have-finally-found-their-new-modric\/","title":{"rendered":"Spurs have finally found their new Modric"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/spurs-have-finally-found-their-new-modric\/#Why_Simmons_is_such_a_big_miss_for_the_Spurs\" >Why Simmons is such a big miss for the Spurs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/spurs-have-finally-found-their-new-modric\/#How_can_the_Spurs_replace_Simmons\" >How can the Spurs replace Simmons?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/spurs-have-finally-found-their-new-modric\/#Spurs_have_%E2%80%98Kane_regeneration_who_could_end_Solankes_Tottenham_career_for_good\" >Spurs have &#8216;Kane regeneration&#8217; who could end Solanke&#8217;s Tottenham career for good<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Ange Postecoglou once famously said that every time he saw a light at Tottenham Hotspur, it was an oncoming train. And that train has now turned into a journey to the Championship, featuring fixtures against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>Even in their first game of 2026, a win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Lilywhites were exposed to shocking news that Xavi Simmons had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.<\/p>\n<p>It is not the first time a Spurs star has suffered a long-term injury in the past 12 months, and serious questions are being asked as to why the club&#8217;s medical team failed to diagnose Simmons&#8217; fate quickly enough.<\/p>\n<p>    Meanwhile, some questions remain on the pitch now that Roberto De Zerbi has been tasked with replacing the big-money attacker.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-simons-will-be-such-a-big-miss-for-spurs\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Simmons_is_such_a_big_miss_for_the_Spurs\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Why Simmons is such a big miss for the Spurs<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>On paper, Simmons is a big-money failure who has scored just seven goals all season in the Premier League. But you can&#8217;t tell the whole story on paper.<\/p>\n<p>    In fact, De Zerbi and Simmons are the perfect combination, and the arrival of the Italian is the attacker&#8217;s best chance to find his best form since arriving in north London.<\/p>\n<p>His true qualities showed in De Zerbi&#8217;s first match. The Dutchman took control of the game by assisting Pedro Polo&#8217;s opening goal, before firing in a stunning strike that looked to be the winner before Brighton spoiled the party in classic Spurs fashion.<\/p>\n<p>He also told reporters: &#8220;New coach, new rules, different mentality.&#8221; If anyone was ready to aim high under De Zerbi, it was Simmons.<\/p>\n<p>Spurs currently have a big problem without him. Another of their scoring sources has fallen. Dominic Solanke will also play on the sidelines, but it&#8217;s anyone&#8217;s guess at this stage where the goals will come from.<\/p>\n<p>    In fact, without the pair against Wolves, Spurs&#8217; entire starting XI would have contributed just seven goals for both teams in the Premier League this season. Someone has to step up.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-spurs-could-replace-simons\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_the_Spurs_replace_Simmons\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>How can the Spurs replace Simmons?<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Without Simmons on that side, Spurs are missing a vital connector between their midfield and frontline.<\/p>\n<p>There is a lack of personnel who can demonstrate excellent maneuverability in half turns and wide areas. What they have instead is a midfield full of solid key players, and that will only get them so far, especially if Solanke doesn&#8217;t lead up front.<\/p>\n<p>    Releasing Bergvall in a more advanced role would immediately solve De Zerbi&#8217;s problems with Simmons. The Swede is too often forced to be pragmatic, but if a new manager gives him creative freedom, he could become Spurs&#8217; new Luka Modric.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>PL statistics P90<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Simmons 25\/26<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Bergvall 24\/25<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1,757<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1,206<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>An opportunity has arisen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1.74<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.82<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>dribbling success<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>42.4%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>51.2%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>the goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>assist<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.07<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>The last time Bergvall played in a system without the constraints of pragmatism was under Postecoglou last season. At that time, he had great take-on success and created almost one chance per match.<\/p>\n<p>Although not good enough to match Simmons&#8217; chance creation numbers, the 20-year-old remains the player Tottenham are most hopeful of replicating the Dutchman&#8217;s quality, with the athletic JJ Bull in particular said to have a &#8220;Modri\u0107-like first touch&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Its versatility is also outstanding. Bergvall can play across midfield, much like Modric did many months ago. He should be one of the first names on De Zerbi&#8217;s team sheet if Spurs are to be successful in and out of possession.<\/p>\n<p>Bergvall will be the first to admit this hasn&#8217;t been the easiest season. However, he simply did not suit Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, and neither did most of his teammates. Things could change under De Zerbi.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"spurs-have-lankshear-kane-regen-end-solanke-career\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tottenham-striker-dominic-solanke.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tottenham-striker-dominic-solanke.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spurs_have_%E2%80%98Kane_regeneration_who_could_end_Solankes_Tottenham_career_for_good\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tSpurs have &#8216;Kane regeneration&#8217; who could end Solanke&#8217;s Tottenham career for good<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Tottenham&#8217;s shot-shy strikers have not inspired confidence in their fight against relegation. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ange Postecoglou once famously said that every time he saw a light at Tottenham Hotspur, it was an oncoming train. And that train has now turned into a journey to the Championship, featuring fixtures against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton. Even in their first game of 2026, a win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46529,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[2676,40,1064,342],"class_list":{"0":"post-46528","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-finally","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-modric","11":"tag-spurs"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46528","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46528"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46528\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46528"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46528"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}