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Thomas Frank, manager of Tottenham Hotspur, speaks to the media during his press conference ahead of the Champions match against Monaco(Image: Michael Steele\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nTottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank was asked about Xavi Simons and whether his adaptation to life in the Premier League mirrors that of Florian Wirtz at LiverpoolThomas Frank, manager of Tottenham Hotspur, speaks to the media during his press conference ahead of the Champions match against Monaco(Image: Michael Steele\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has preached patience over \u00a352m signing Xavi Simons and agreed with a comparison to Liverpool’s \u00a3116m buy Florian Wirtz. Both players made the move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League<\/a> in the summer.<\/p>\n Simons and Wirtz<\/a> forged reputations as two of the best young playmakers in the world with their performances for RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.<\/p>\n But the 22-year-olds have struggled since arriving in England. Simons has produced only one assist for Tottenham in eight games while Wirtz has the same number in 11 appearances for Liverpool<\/a> and is also waiting to score his first goal.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Liverpool hero thinks Arne Slot has an ‘ideal’ combination waiting to be unlocked<\/a>READ MORE: Arne Slot gives Ryan Gravenberch injury update after Liverpool midfielder ruled out<\/a><\/p>\n The Netherlands international was withdrawn after Spurs went behind in their 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa on Sunday while, for the second Premier League game running, the Germany international started on the bench as the Reds went down 2-1 at home to Manchester United later on in the afternoon<\/a>.<\/p>\n But Frank has rallied around Simons after a comparison to Wirtz.<\/p>\n “I think that’s a very good question and also a very good comparison with Wirtz, who is also a very good player just like Xavi,” said the Tottenham boss ahead of his side’s Champions League<\/a> clash at Monaco tonight.<\/p>\n “A couple of things, new country, new club, new city and just needing to settle in.<\/p>\n “We are all getting judged every game but we also need to see the bigger perspective and I see it all the time.<\/p>\n “I always look for glimpses and bits and pieces. For example with Xavi, there were some good bits and I worked with him and I asked him to arrive a bit more in the box. When I looked at the game back, he did.<\/p>\n “Was there a big eye-catching moment? No, but there were good glimpses and I think it is constantly going in the right direction.”<\/p>\n Wirtz is expected to be recalled to the Liverpool starting line-up this evening when they take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.<\/p>\n The former Leverkusen favourite impressed as a second-half substitute against Man United and before that game Reds boss Arne Slot<\/a> offered a similar verdict to Frank.<\/p>\n “If you’ve been brought in for so much money, people look mainly at goals and assists, but I can tell you he could be on six or seven assists already,” Slot told Sky Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n “If you look at the passes he’s played to his team-mates which unfortunately didn’t lead to goals, one of the greatest examples is the Chelsea game where after one minute (since coming on) he had this great flick to Mo Salah.<\/p>\n “For Mo, this is 99 times out of 100 a goal. I have to say 98 out of 100 because the last time he got a ball like this was against Atletico Madrid from Florian Wirtz, but Mo hit the post.<\/p>\n “He’s been a bit unlucky with the finishing when he’s given his team-mates chances but, in general for a 22-year-old, it’s quite normal that you have to adjust to going to another country let alone going to the Premier League.”<\/p>\n Watch Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool on TNT Sports<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a330.99<\/p>\n TNT Sports<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_TNT-Sportsjfif.jpg\")
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