No less than 86 million euros. This is how much Barcelona paid to Ajax in 2019 for midfielder Frenkie de Jong. It was the most lucrative transfer ever for a Dutch football club. PSV also seems to have gold in their hands at the moment with Xavi Simons (19). He distinguishes himself almost every week in Eindhoven. Can PSV look forward to a Frenkie de Jong-like transfer amount in the long run?
Simons had to make do with top club Paris Saint-Germain in recent years with the occasional match or substitute. Last summer he switched to PSV and there he quickly became a basic player. He has now scored eight times in twelve league games and was good for three assists.
“When you see what he squeezes out of that body.”
Simons impresses not only in the competition. Despite his small stature, he also stands up in Europe. He excelled in the 2-0 win against Arsenal.
“It’s a pleasure”, reacts Stan Valckx, ex-international and former technical director of PSV. “Xavi has now really shown in a number of matches that he has a lot to offer. Then you wonder whether he could also compete against even bigger teams. So far I have to say: he always delivers. Physically he is not impressive , but if you see what he squeezes out of that body. He also held his own against Arsenal. This says something about his mentality and his urge to prove himself.”
“You can tell Xavi has something up his sleeve.”
Former PSV manager Kees Ploegsma, who has been active as an agent in recent years, thinks it is still too early for PSV to count himself rich. “You must not forget: Xavi has not played football at a high level for a number of years,” he emphasizes. “But he has been to big clubs such as Barcelona and PSG, so had good training sessions. He now plays a number of matches at PSV and you can see that he has something to offer. But for these amounts … You must not forget that he plays in the Dutch league. Is he suitable for the English, French or Spanish league? I would say: let’s wait and see for the next few weeks.”
In any case, it is important to gain more experience, emphasizes Valckx. Play football in the Champions League and in Orange. In addition, the former defender points out that there are few clubs that can pay these kinds of sky-high amounts. “But I do think Xavi has the potential to make this step.”
“A ballerina, an artist in football boots.”
Sports marketer Bob van Oosterhout is a huge fan of Xavi Simons. “But I also look at him as a marketer. This is a player who gives color to a team. A ballerina, an artist on football boots. Who can sometimes do magic with the ball and does so with a boyish appearance. He is not big and has a lovely baby face. I mean that positively. Because let’s be honest: if Xavi had been 1.98 meters and had a huge stubble, you would look at him differently. He also has a beautiful facial expression, a great appearance “I think he has a huge appeal to a lot of young children, especially girls. This is a footballer that you come to the stadium for.”
Until now, Hirving Lozano is the player who has made the most money for PSV in terms of transfer amount. He was sold for about forty million to the Italian Napoli. “I think the amount will be higher for Xavi,” says Bob. “Provided he continues to develop in this way.”
Valckx, like Kees Ploegsma, thinks it is still too early to take a large amount on Simons’ head. “I think we’ll have to wait a little longer before flying the flag. He hasn’t had any setbacks yet. But I think something beautiful appears on the horizon, yes.”