Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank wants Xavi Simons to show more intensity, while Randal Kolo Muani is close to his first start as Spurs face Everton on Sunday.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is looking for more intensity from new signing Xavi Simons, who has been with the team for seven or eight weeks. Simons has one assist for Spurs, which came on his debut in September’s 3-0 win over West Ham United.
Frank believes that Simons has the quality, but needs to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. “I liked his personality after the first 60 minutes against (Aston) Villa, but he then tired a bit,” Frank said. “Our demand to him is more intensity, but a player I believe in, he’s got the pass and vision.”
Another new arrival, French forward Randal Kolo Muani, is edging closer to his first Premier League start since joining Spurs on a season-long loan deal in September. Kolo Muani made his Premier League debut in Spurs’ 2-1 home defeat by Villa on Sunday, after being out with a “dead leg.”
Frank is pleased with Kolo Muani’s progress, saying, “It’s the first time he’s had a sustained block of training and minutes. He can’t be bombarding 90 minutes again and again, but he can be used, which is good news.”
Spurs are sixth in the league table with 14 points from eight matches, trailing leaders Arsenal by five. Frank’s side are looking to get back on track when they play 12th-placed Everton, having lost to Villa and drawn with AS Monaco in the Champions League.
Frank has praise for Everton’s manager David Moyes, saying, “A good colleague and friend of mine, David Moyes, is there – someone who I respect a lot, and his teams are always hard to beat.”
Spurs will be without captain Cristian Romero for the Everton trip as the Argentine centre back recovers from an adductor strain. Frank said, “Cuti (Romero) just walked out on the grass running, positive and progressing, no time frame, but I don’t expect it to be a longer one.”
Frank is optimistic about the team’s chances against Everton, saying, “I think Everton is a very good team, not just (Jack) Grealish. He has got Grealish able to flourish again, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
