Thomas Tuchel's Xavi Simons admission speaks volumes amid Chelsea transfer talks

Chelsea are looking to add Xavi Simons to their squad this summer as the Blues look to bolster their attacking options in time for the 2025/26 season.

The Blues opened talks with the 22-year-old's representatives on Monday and as per sources 24 hours later, football.london was told negotiations are progressing well. Simons wants to move to Stamford Bridge, crucially, which is said to be making talks over a possible deal much smoother. While the terms are yet to be agreed, there is confidence they will be eventually before Chelsea and RB Leipzig negotiate over the fee for the Netherlands international.

Leipzig are open to selling the Dutch attacker this summer and reportedly want €65million (£56million) for his services. Simons, who has been on Chelsea's radar for a while now, came through Barcelona's famous academy, 'La Masia', before failing to agree a new deal with the La Liga giants. Paris Saint-Germain then came calling.

During his time in the French capital, Simons was managed by Thomas Tuchel, who spent two-and-a-half years at Parc des Princes before being sacked in December 2020. When Tuchel was in charge, Simons was part of PSG's academy setup and never featured under the German coach. However, the former Chelsea boss was well aware of the talent breaking through the academy.

Tuchel said this in 2023 ahead of his Bayern Munich - where he was manager at the time - side's match against Leipzig: "I had Xavi Simons very young in Paris. It was clear that he had a lot of potential. [He is] extremely talented! But it was difficult given the offensive options in Paris at the time. But if you are able to train at such a high level, it proves you have enough talent."

The former Chelsea head coach added: "I think his best position is half winger, half 10, so he can be free. He is technically strong, calm with the ball, and very good in front of goal."

Enzo Maresca is looking for another versatile attacker to enhance his options in the final third. In Simons, as Tuchel said, there is a player who can be used as a No.10, on the left wing and he has even been deployed on the right in the past. While a deal is not advanced at the time of writing, the prospect of Simons in a Chelsea shirt is one that is exciting the majority of supporters.

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