For the first time since he arrived at Leipzig, Xavi Simons has ended up in the crosshairs of criticism. The Dutch attacking midfielder, reports Pictureseems to be behind in form and has so far only been decisive in the German Cup, while he has not scored or assisted in 5 games between the league and the Champions League. Worrying numbers for an ambitious team like Marco Rose’s, who more than ever this season wants to aim for the title but who are already four points behind the leaders Bayern Munich, despite being unbeaten after 4 games (2 wins and 2 draws).
Is the pressure and his new status as a “star” too much of a burden for the former PSG player? “No, Xavi has already experienced what it means when he was young,” stressed sporting director Rouven Schröder a few days ago. Yet two factors seem to weigh on Simons: the number 10 shirt and the departure of Dani Olmo. The Spaniard was the perfect partner for the 21-year-old from Amsterdam, even if the latter had shown he could do well without him.
But there is something: his teammates – Christoph Baumgartner, Antonio Nusa and Eljif Elmas – are not giving the answers that Rose and the managers would like and Simons is not able (at least for the moment) to be decisive. From now until the break he will be under observation.