Chelsea appear to be leading the race to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig this summer. The Blues have been locked in talks with the 22-year-old’s entourage in recent days and sources have told football.london that they have been very positive.
Simons wants to move to Stamford Bridge, despite interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich as well. Chelsea have been discussing personal terms with the Netherlands international’s camp this week and an agreement is understood to be getting closer.
The Barcelona academy graduate is keen on leaving Leipzig this summer, who in turn are willing to let him leave for a suitable offer. Reports in Germany suggest the Bundesliga club are open to conducting business should they receive €65million (£56million) for Simons.
Here’s what some notable figures in the world of football have said about Simons in recent years and why he could become a key man under head coach Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel
“I think his best position is half winger, half 10, so he can be free. He is technically strong, calm with the ball, and very good in front of goal.”
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Dani Olmo
“Xavi is a different player. He has shown that so far in the time he has been here. We connect really well on the pitch but he can also do things on his own. He has an amazing dribbling technique, finishing as well.
“He’s a really complete player and for us, for our system, for how we play, our ideas, the coaches’ ideas, it is perfect for us. Now he’s in a really good mood, in a really good shape so this is very helpful.”
Marco Rose
“We know that Xavi is a difference-maker. I said to him right after the game: ‘Great job’. And I didn’t mean today’s game, but the way he came back from his injury. The way he worked after his injury and the way he came back. It’s extraordinary after three months.”
Erik ten Hag
“I enjoyed Xavi Simons in that game [vs England]. The drive he has, the passion with which he conquers balls and recognises situations are top. His enormous drive as well. That is almost un-Dutch. I think you can see that he was trained abroad. He almost has a southern European doggedness in his game.”
Ian Wright
“Can we talk Champions League? Can I say watching Xavi Simons against Real Madrid, Leipzig versus Real Madrid, was kind of like a coming out parade in respects of a performance from someone. He was brilliant to watch. Unbelievable.
“And, we are talking about someone who is on loan from PSG to Leipzig, and he is getting the chance to play against arguably one of the greatest teams in the world, Real Madrid, and playing like that. He is 20, going there and putting in a performance like that. He is on their radar, massively.”
