In an in-depth interview with Voetbal International, PSV defender Patrick van Aanholt revealed that he believes Xavi Simons has what it takes to reach ‘the top of the world’. The left-back, who had spells in the Premier League with Sunderland and Crystal Palace said that 19-year-old Simons is ‘really, really good. Actually too good for the age he is. It’s incomprehensible how maturely he already plays.’
Simons joined PSV from Paris Saint-Germain last summer and has already made a monumental mark on the Eredivisie. The youngster is currently the leagues top scorer with 14 goals and 8 assists in 29 appearances. PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has utilised Xavi Simons in several positions this season. He’s played as a centre-forward, a winger and most commonly as an attacking midfielder.
Speaking about his PSV teammate, 32-year-old Patrick van Aanholt said ‘Xavi is only nineteen, he is co-top scorer in the Eredivisie and he already has a starting place with the Dutch national team’. Van Aanholt touched on Simons’ previous experiences at Barcelona and PSG, where he trained and played alongside world-class talent. ‘He grew up with that and he does the same. If Xavi keeps this up, he will definitely reach the top of the world.’
Van Aanholt added that Simons needs to work on his behaviour after being fouled during matches. ‘Of course Xavi gets a lot of kicks. That’s really not normal. But he shouldn’t get so angry too quickly. You have others for that. He has to let it go. I also talk to him about it and he understands it too.’
PSV currently sit third in the Eredivisie. This Sunday they take on second-place Ajax at the Philips Stadion. Both sides are level on points, looking to put pressure on first-place Feyenoord who hold an eight-point advantage at the top of the table. Xavi Simons will be looking to continue his fine form in the six games PSV have left to play this season.
