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Tottenham legend Glenn Huddle feels a new signing “needs time” to embrace as he recalls his struggles following a big move, leaving Arsene Wenger wondering “what have I bought?”
The Spurs spent more than $180 million on fresh talent over the summer. The most expensive of these signatures was Xavi Simmonswhich cost an initial $51 million in fees.
Since arriving in north London, the former RB Leipzig man has just one assist in eight games, and has floated between left-back and No.10, with Thomas Frank seemingly clueless as to where he is best suited.
Tottenham Legend Huddle felt Simmons needed more time to adapt to the Premier League, recalling his struggles in a new environment when he left Spurs for Monaco in 1987.
He said Talk port: “Talking about the angle – it’s interesting, because it’s very early in this stage.
“When you are a creative player, I remember when I first came here to Monaco, and I was 27 years old. The first two months were all new for me, on the pitch and off. I couldn’t get to the ball properly, and I wasn’t playing well.
“I think you need a bit of time. If you’re a defender, or a wide player, but when you’re at number 10, the creator, that’s got to go out there and everybody’s looking at you and you’ve got to create and open doors.
“I think the lad has got the ability, whether he can do it in the Premier League is the big question, but he needs a bit more time.
“In this day and age, it’s a bit more immediate. I’m sure the way I played in the first two years, Arsene Wenger must be thinking ‘Oh my God, what have I bought?’
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Indeed, in his first two months with Monaco, Hodel scored just three times, but ended his 87-game spell there with 30 goals.
While that doesn’t mean Simmons will make the same impact with the Spurs, Hedel was a star before his big move and after he adjusted, he found his feet.
Simmons was clearly a good player at Leipzig, and if he can learn how to be effective in the Premier League, he can show the same form that led to the north London club signing him for over $50 million.
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