Xavi Simons has continued to develop rapidly, and his efforts at RB Leipzig were once again rewarded on the big stage.
Simons, who is on loan from Paris Saint Germain, joined Leipzig on July 19, 2023, and he will be representing the club until June 30, 2023.
Xavi Simons at RB Leipzig
The 20-year-old has made 6 appearances for RB Leipzig, scoring 3 goals and providing 4 assists across all competitions.
Xavi Simons was in action for The Red Bulls on September 19, 2023, in a UEFA Champions League encounter against Young Boys.
Simons had an exciting evening, contributing largely to RB Leipzig throughout the 88 minutes he spent on the pitch of play.
He created four chances in the game but didn’t get an assist to his name. He however controlled the strings in Switzerland.
Marco Rose’s side defeated the Swiss champions by 3-1, with an opener from Mohamed Simakan in the 3rd minute, as RB Leipzig raced into the lead.
Meschack Elia equalized for Young Boys, but goals from Xaver Schlager, and Benjamin Sesko, in the 73rd and 2nd minute of additional time condemned the home side to a defeat, in front of their 31,500 home crowd.
Xavi Simons had a remarkable loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last season, under the tutelage of Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
He scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 appearances for the Dutch club, helping the club win the KNVB Cup.
Simons also assisted the Eindhoven-based club in qualifying for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League, after finishing second in the league last season.
PSG activated a buyback clause in the Dutchman’s deal to PSV Eindhoven, to re-sign him for about €4 million on July 18, 2023.
Should PSG have trusted Xavi Simons?
Due to the inability to assure Xavi Simons of a starting shirt in Paris, and the need not to stunt his career growth, Paris Saint Germain loaned him to RB Leipzig.
PSG signed Ousmane Dembele and Marco Asensio on the right and left side of the wings respectively, with both players more experienced than Simons.
However, despite joining the French club for €50 million, it appears there is a bug that hasn’t left Dembele, as he is yet to score or assist after 5 matches.
While the Frenchman hasn’t hit the ground running at PSG yet, Asensio, who joined the Ligue 1 side on a free transfer, has been impressive in his first few matches.
The Spaniard is currently in the treatment room, but he had scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist, before sustaining a foot injury on September 8, 2023.
Xavi Simons could have delivered for Paris Saint Germain in place of Ousmane Dembele if they had trusted his abilities.
Anyway, RB Leipzig sit top of Group G with 3 points in the UEFA Champions League, level on points with Manchester City, after one game played so far.
They will face off next in Matchday 2, on October 4, 2023, with Leipzig smelling blood and hoping for revenge on the 8-1 demolition they received at the hands of the Citizens.
