When Thomas Frank took charge at Tottenham Hotspur, it was obvious he wanted a proper number 10.
Not just someone who links play, but a player who can break lines with the ball, carry it through the middle, and also drift wide when needed.
Spurs went hard for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, two players who tick all those boxes, but missed out on both.
Instead, they’ve landed Xavi Simons, a precocious talent who looked destined for Chelsea all summer before Spurs snuck in to get their man.
The question now is simple: Does Xavi Simons style of play bring the same qualities as Gibbs-White and Eze?
This player analysis explores why Xavi Simons could be the missing number 10 in Thomas Frank tactics.
Morgan Gibbs-White: The Benchmark
For me, Morgan Gibbs-White is one of the most elite number 10s in the Premier League.
I genuinely think he could play for any of the top six sides.
When you look at the Morgan Gibbs-White style of play, you see a player with a complete skill set for that role.
Morgan Gibbs-White Technical Ability
Morgan Gibbs-White has got a really clean strike off both feet.
His final actions, whether it’s a pass, a cross or a shot, are sharp, and he sees the picture in his head so quickly.
