Xavi Simons, currently recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained late last season, is optimistic about Tottenham's future, welcoming the club's significant influx of new signings and praising manager Roberto De Zerbi's impact.
Simons, who tore his knee ligaments in April, expressed his frustration at missing the end of the season and the team's struggles. "After the operation you have to spend a couple of days in bed doing nothing," he said. "It was hard at the start, but my family came to the hospital and then it was like, 'OK let's move on.' This is a lesson in life. My first big injury and I'm seeing things in life I didn't see before."
He has been diligently working on his rehabilitation, focusing on strengthening his injured leg and overall physique. "Right now, it feels strong, but I still have to gain more weight on that (injured) leg because it has been nine weeks without doing a lot," Simons stated. "The progress is there. Every day I can see it and that's what counts."
Simons' injury is one of several cruciate knee ligament issues at Spurs in the past year. He aims to return to the pitch by the end of the season, but is keeping his personal target private to manage expectations. "The day I feel good again in my knee I'll sit down with people at the club and decide when I'm back," he said.
He has been closely following the club's transfer activity, with Tottenham making multiple significant signings. "I've played with the best players in the world and I want to play with the best," Simons commented. He specifically mentioned new signing Sandro Tonali, noting, "I know he is a top player. Aggressive with the ball. He will find the passes to those like me in the No 10 position."
Simons believes the club is demonstrating a clear ambition with these acquisitions. "Everyone can see that the club is aiming high. We know what happened last season can't even be considered to happen again. This is a massive club," he said. "We all know that so at the start of the season, we will see a new Tottenham."
The midfielder also lauded the immediate impact of manager Roberto De Zerbi. "From the day he came in, he changed the mentality of the club with the way he transmits what he wants," Simons explained. "New energy, new boost. Sometimes in bad situations you only need a small change to make a massive difference and that small change was Roberto."
Simons is eager to return and contribute to what he believes will be a more successful season for Tottenham. "There are big goals I want to achieve for the club. And I know I will achieve them," he stated. "My ambitions are together with the ambitions of the team and the club. To win everything. That's why I signed. I cannot wait to get back on the pitch and show a better version of Xavi."