Chelsea’s aggressive pursuit of top-tier talent continues this summer, with the club reportedly closing in on a significant move for highly-rated attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, sparking intense debate about his potential role within an already formidable squad.
The Dutch international’s proposed transfer from RB Leipzig, rumored to be around €70 million, signifies another blockbuster acquisition for the Blues. However, with an abundance of attacking options already at Stamford Bridge, the crucial question remains: how exactly does Simons fit into Enzo Maresca’s tactical blueprint, and is he truly a necessary addition?
Despite being only 22, Simons boasts an impressive footballing journey, honing his skills at prestigious academies like La Masia before excelling in the Eredivisie and becoming a creative linchpin at RB Leipzig. His remarkable record of 44 goal contributions in 76 appearances, coupled with nearly 30 senior caps for the Netherlands, underscores his proven ability and adaptability across various attacking positions.
Simons’ game is characterized by exceptional technical prowess and an uncanny ability to exploit space, particularly from the left half-space where he can drift centrally to orchestrate play. His vision, dribbling skill, and capacity to unlock defenses with incisive passes make him an ideal candidate for a coach like Enzo Maresca, whose philosophy emphasizes positional play and intelligent movement within fluid attacking structures.
Chelsea’s forward line is undeniably congested, even with speculative reports suggesting potential departures for key figures like Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling. The existing roster already features promising talents such as Cole Palmer, Estevão Willian, Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernández, Liam Delap, and João Pedro, all vying for crucial attacking berths, highlighting the depth of the challenge Simons faces in securing a regular starting spot.
The most probable integration for Simons appears to be in one of the two creative roles behind the striker, aligning with Maresca’s preferred 4-2-2-2 shape or its hybrid variations. In this setup, Simons could seamlessly operate as the central attacking midfielder, freeing up Palmer to leverage his strengths from a slightly wider right position, operating effectively in the half-space outside dense midfield traffic.
The prospect of Simons and Palmer jointly orchestrating attacks, supplying service to a focal point like Nicolás Jackson, Liam Delap, or Armando Broja, presents a terrifying challenge for opposition defenders. This strategic move aims not merely to add squad depth, but to significantly elevate the overall ceiling of Chelsea’s attacking potency, offering diverse creative avenues and goal-scoring threats.
Simons’ arrival also carries implications for the midfield pecking order, particularly for players like Romeo Lavia, who has grappled with injury setbacks since joining Chelsea. While Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández are largely entrenched in starting midfield roles, Simons could push Lavia further down the depth chart, especially when Maresca seeks increased attacking impetus from midfield. However, Lavia’s role could still be vital in more cautious setups or during the rigorous Champions League schedule.
Beyond immediate tactical considerations, securing Xavi Simons would be a significant statement for Chelsea, reaffirming their capacity to attract Europe’s elite young talent following their recent Club World Cup triumph. Unlike many ‘project players,’ Simons combines youth with proven experience and remarkable adaptability. While concerns about his slightly slender frame facing the Premier League’s physicality are valid, his exceptional intelligence, movement, and willingness to adapt, coupled with Maresca’s flexible approach, suggest he possesses the attributes to thrive.
