Roberto De Zerbi reveals why Xavi Simons is ‘lucky’ to have him as his Tottenham manager

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Roberto De Zerbi has revealed what he thought of Xavi Simons’ performance against Brighton and has made an exciting prediction about the Tottenham star.

The new Tottenham boss had left the attacking midfielder out of his starting eleven for the clash against Sunderland last week, and only bought him on with minutes left on the clock, even though the Lilywhites were chasing an equaliser.

In the lead-up to the clash against Brighton, De Zerbi had challenged Xavi to score and assist more, and the Italian decided to hand the Dutchman an opportunity from the start against the Seagulls.

The 22-year-old delivered exactly what the new Tottenham boss wanted, setting up Pedro Porro with a brilliant assist in the first half, before producing a sensational curled effort on 77 minutes that went in off the post.

Roberto De Zerbi expects Xavi Simons to get even better for Tottenham

While Xavi’s strike was not enough to get Tottenham the three points, De Zerbi was extremely pleased with the display that he saw from his number 10.

The Spurs boss shared that since he played in the same position as the Netherlands international, he is able to understand his game and challenges better than other coaches.

When asked about Xavi’s performance against the Seagulls, De Zerbi told Football.London: “He played very well. A great game. I think he can play better and better, because a player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager. And I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs.

“Because [when] I was a player, I was number 10, and I think I know what he thinks, because I thought the same when I was a player. I think I’m lucky to have this player on my team, but also he’s lucky because with number 10, I can understand better than other coaches.”

De Zerbi tells Spurs players they will be sent home if they are gloomy

Xavi, as well as his teammates, looked distraught at the final whistle as they had two crucial points snatched away from them due to a defensive lapse in stoppage time.

However, De Zerbi has said that he expects to see players come to the training session on Monday with a smile, warning that they will be sent home if they are gloomy.

When asked how he will lift the players who looked dejected at the full-time whistle, the Tottenham boss said: “They have to follow me and not think and listen to me. They have to listen to me. I am proud of their performance. They have to be stronger and be focused longer and come to training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile otherwise they go home.

“I have no time to see negative people or to see sad players or sad assistant. No, we are lucky because we are working at a big club, a big stadium, we are working in Premier League and we have the quality, the right quality to win the game so we have to be positive. I don’t like the people who cry and who thinks in negative way.”