Xavi Simons took to Instagram with an emotional “trust the process” message after sustaining what could prove to be a significant injury during Tottenham Hotspur’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Dutch midfielder was carried off on a stretcher shortly after the hour mark at Molineux, sparking fears of a potential ACL problem.
Early worry centred on whether the setback might threaten his involvement in the forthcoming World Cup, though Simons offered supporters a measure of reassurance by reposting Spurs’ full-time graphic alongside the caption “TTP always 🤍.”
Despite West Ham United also picking up three points, Tottenham’s result carried considerable weight in their season’s trajectory. The joy of the win was tempered, however, by fitness concerns over both Simons and Dominic Solanke, who also had to be withdrawn during the contest.
In his post-match press conference, head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Simons had sustained a knee injury, with a fuller assessment expected over the coming days. He added that Solanke’s problem appeared less severe, though a precise return date had yet to be established.
De Zerbi also noted that Simons was already feeling somewhat better in the immediate aftermath of the incident — a small but welcome sign for those at the club.
The Italian will be anxious for encouraging news, particularly given that James Maddison remains in the process of recovering from his own ACL injury and is far from certain to play again this term. A lengthy absence for Simons could leave Spurs dangerously short of options in the attacking midfield area.
When asked about how he might adapt tactically, De Zerbi outlined several possibilities within his ranks, naming Mathys Tel, Randal Kolo Muani, Rodrigo Souza, and Lucas Bergvall as players capable of operating in more advanced positions. He stressed the value of keeping the system straightforward and coherent rather than overloading it with complexity during a difficult stretch.
Tottenham’s next challenge comes in the form of a tricky away trip to Aston Villa under Unai Emery, followed by fixtures against Leeds United, Chelsea, and Everton to close out their campaign. West Ham, meanwhile, face an equally demanding run-in, with Brentford, Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Leeds all still to come.
