Xavi Simons Injury Update

Xavi Simons has made steady progress in his recovery from a season-ending ACL injury, with the Dutch International providing regular updates on social media.

Fresh updates dropped this week on his reintegration timeline. According to Tottenham insider szyexcl, Xavi Simons is targeting a return in late December, while Tottenham hope he will be ready to return in early January.

The Netherlands international has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers in April. Simons ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the 1-0 win. The Dutchman was injured after colliding with Hugo Bueno and left the pitch on a stretcher after trying to continue. Surgery followed, ruling him out for the rest of the season, during which Tottenham caught on to secure their Premier League Survival; he also missed the World Cup. For Spurs, the timing was frustrating: their first league victory of 2026 came at the cost of a creative outlet. With Dominic Solanke also injured that afternoon, Roberto De Zerbi faced reduced attacking options for the closing stages of Tottenham’s fight to avoid Premier League relegation.

Xavi Simons developed in Barcelona’s academy before joining Paris Saint-Germain, where he made his senior debut in 2021. He broke through at PSV Eindhoven, sharing the Eredivisie golden boot with 19 goals in 2022/23 and winning the Dutch Cup.

He impressed at RB Leipzig, scoring 22 goals in 78 appearances before joining Tottenham in August 2025. The attacking midfielder registered five goals across 41 appearances during his first Spurs campaign before injury ended his season. Internationally, Simons made his Netherlands debut at the 2022 World Cup and helped his country reach the European Championship semi-finals in Germany in 2024.

After a summer rebuild in N17, Simons could thrive as a number 10 in De Zerbi’s system, receiving the ball between the lines and turning possession into attacking opportunities. His creativity, alongside James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammad Kudus, Savio and Omar Marmoush, could open up Tottenham as Roberto De Zerbi's side look to regain European competition and challenge for major honours.

Tottenham Hotspur host Crystal Palace on Saturday 31 October, with kick-off at 5.30pm at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, live on Sky Sports.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side will look to build on their Saturday night victory over Chelsea, although Xavi Simons remains unavailable. The London derby offers Spurs another opportunity to collect three Premier League points before November begins.