Simmons and Wertz are in hell as stats show why Tottenham, Liverpool’s new boys are struggling

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank feels there is a “very good comparison” between Xavi Simmons and Florian Wertz, with Spurs and Liverpool’s new boys struggling. And the statistics show why.

The Spurs spent more than $50 million Simmons In the summer, and he has returned an assist so far. Meanwhile, Liverpool spent $115 million Wirtzand that’s just one help.

Both men were signed after success in the Bundesliga – Simmons was directly involved in 17 goals in the German top flight last season, while Wertz had 23 direct goal contributions.

Tottenham Boss Frank feels that both struggles are going through adaptation in England.

He said: “I think that’s a very good question. Also, a very good comparison with Wirtz, who is also a very good player like Xavi.

“A very good player coming into a couple of things – new country, new club, new city. You need to settle in, and that’s part of it.

“We’re all being judged every game. But we also need to take a bit of a bigger view and look over time.

“I’m always looking for highlights and bits and pieces that we’re working on. So, for example, Xavi, I think there were some good bits there. I worked with him and asked him to get more into the box, when I look back at the game he did.

“Was there a big eye-opening moment? No, but there were good highlights. So I think it’s steadily moving in the right direction a little bit.”

The similarities between the pair don’t just stop at their struggles, but that both are coming from Bundesliga systems in which they were central men.

In the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig, Simmons floated wherever he wanted and was the focal point of the attack, largely moving out to the left to pick up the ball.

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As Sofascorehe averaged 68 touches and two key passes per game. In the Premier League for Tottenham, that’s at 41.2 touches per game – coming close to the massive left-back he’s used to – and 1.2 key passes.

Wurtz’s numbers have dropped significantly at Liverpool, he was touching the ball 73.4 times a game at Bayer Leverkusen and providing 1.8 key passes – and that’s down on 46.8 in the Premier League, although he’s actually making 1.9 key passes per game, suggesting the attackers aren’t doing what they should.

If he was getting more touches, though, there would be more opportunities for Liverpool to attack than he is providing.

Wurtz also has to drop deep and spread himself thin, picking up the ball in different areas across the width of the pitch rather than his preferred area on the left of the final third when he was playing in Germany.

Both men clearly have good potential and ability in the new environment, but the fact that they are no longer the main men is helping them, and it is difficult to get the position they need to get themselves with the big stars around.

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