Xavi Simons: Tottenham ready to push on in Europe as Thomas Frank fosters 'good feeling' | OneFootball

The Dutchman is enjoying life in north London after moving from RB Leipzig

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Simons made his debut against West Ham on Saturday and started again on Tuesday night as Spurs beat Villarreal 1-0 to start their Champions League campaign.

It was Spurs’ first match in the competition for 923 days, but it is a stage Simons is no stranger to. The 22-year-old came through the academy at Barcelona before joining Paris Saint-Germain, and he has also played in Europe for PSV and RB Leipzig.

Having been in the dressing rooms of some of the biggest clubs in the world, Simons believes Spurs are in a strong position to make a run in the Champions League this season.

“If I’m honest with you, that’s why I signed here, especially the club, especially the coach who has had a really big impact into the group ,” Simons said.

“It’s only my second week here but I can feel the group is really tight and together and that’s a really positive thing.”

Frank played an important role in bringing Simons to north London, speaking with the Dutchman on the phone about how he would fit in at Spurs but also areas of his game that he felt could be improved.

“Yeah, he was a big influence of course and that was really important,” Simons said.

“At the end, it’s him, the club, the players. My feeling had to be good, and that was my feeling and how it’s been so far.”

Spurs earned their place in the Champions League by winning the Europa League last season, and in doing so ended the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy.

Simons won silverware at PSG, PSV and Leipzig and is eyeing more of the same in a Spurs shirt.

“Yeah, that’s the mentality from the squad and from the club to keep winning and I think the progression is going really well,” he said.

“We are going game by game to make the fans proud.”

Spurs have kept clean sheets in four of their five games this season, with Evanilson’s deflected strike the only time Guglielmo Vicario has been beaten.

The likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are in superb form, but Simons has had to play his part in the defensive structure as well in his appearances on the left wing.

“The defence that we have is incredible and nowadays the defensive aspect is so important when it comes to winning games, but the forwards, too, try to help that and try to make a big influence on that,” Simons said.