He’d be unplayable with Xavi Simons: Spurs in race to sign £100m “machine”
Tottenham’s Bold New Era Under Thomas Frank
Tottenham Hotspur were left feeling hollow after chairman Daniel Levy made the bold call to sack Ange Postecoglou at the end of the 2024/25 season—just weeks after the Australian ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought by clinching the Europa League title.
But a dismal 17th-place Premier League finish made Postecoglou’s departure inevitable. The problems had been building for much of the season, compounded by another wave of injuries that ravaged the squad.
Now, Spurs have turned to Thomas Frank, who left his well-regarded post at Brentford to usher in a new era in north London.
With the Europa League triumph securing Champions League qualification, expectations are high. Frank’s tenure has begun on a promising note, highlighted by the arrival of Mohammed Kudus.
Spurs also converted the loan deals of Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso into permanent transfers. Still, reinforcements are clearly needed.
Transfer Update: Spurs Eye Wharton After Gibbs-White Setback
Tottenham were confident of signing Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, but the move has stalled. Forest claim Spurs made an illegal approach for the England international, casting doubt over the transfer.
With that deal now uncertain, Spurs have shifted their focus to RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested in the Dutch international, but Tottenham are pushing talks forward.
Simons would bring elite creativity and dynamism to the attack, though Spurs are also looking to bolster their midfield with a deeper-lying presence.
Enter Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. According to Football Insider, Tottenham have targeted the 21-year-old as a key midfield addition.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner is determined to keep him, especially with Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi likely to leave this summer.
However, interest in Wharton is fierce—Liverpool, Manchester City, and Real Madrid are also monitoring the Englishman, who Palace have valued at over £100 million.
Why Adam Wharton Fits the Bill
Palace signed Wharton from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024 for £18 million, recognizing his potential early.
Despite just 51 appearances for Blackburn, his maturity and composure in midfield quickly caught attention.
Now, after just 36 Premier League games—including five assists—Wharton has cemented himself as one of England’s most exciting young talents.
He played a vital role in Palace’s historic FA Cup win over Manchester City, with journalist Henry Winter calling him a “passing machine” and “the best player on the pitch” in the semi-final against Aston Villa.
Statistically, Wharton’s numbers are impressive:
- Top 9% for progressive passes
- Top 7% for shot-creating actions
- Top 4% for ball recoveries per 90 (per FBref)
These metrics reflect his ideal profile for Frank’s high-energy, possession-based style.
Despite being limited to 16 starts last season due to injuries, Wharton averaged one interception and 1.7 tackles per match—and made no major errors throughout the campaign.
In contrast, Yves Bissouma, with the same number of starts, was guilty of six errors, highlighting the potential upgrade Wharton would offer in Tottenham’s midfield.
The Simons–Wharton Midfield Vision
Simons and Wharton could form a complementary partnership. Simons, a 28-cap Netherlands international, thrives in attacking spaces and has a keen eye for goal, while Wharton’s vision and passing range could unlock his full potential.
While Simons is more attack-focused than Gibbs-White, who offers a more defensive work rate, his addition would still elevate Spurs’ creative output.
With Maddison often sidelined and Kulusevski’s role still undefined, especially on the right wing, Simons would provide versatility and flair in advanced areas.
Meanwhile, Wharton would anchor the midfield with his balance of composure and aggression.
Together, they could provide the stability, dynamism, and vision that Tottenham sorely lacked last season—offering Thomas Frank the building blocks for a genuinely competitive squad across all fronts.
