A Dutch international could be Manchester City’s solution to their creativity issues
The international break is a welcome opportunity to have a break from all on-pitch matters at Manchester City for a fortnight. But the UEFA Nations League and various other World Cup qualifiers that are currently being played are an opportunity to get a glimpse of players that Manchester City could potentially sign in the summer. One of those players who played a key role for his country overnight was Dutch international Xavi Simons.
The RB Leipzig playmaker came off the bench for the Netherlands overnight in their 3-all draw with Spain. Spain eventually beat the Dutch 5-4 on penalties after their two-legged UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie ended 5-all on aggregate. The game was a thrilling contest, but from a Manchester City point of view, Xavi Simons showed exactly what he could potentially bring to Pep Guardiola’s squad. Manchester City are screaming out for creativity in midfield and the final third and that’s something that the Dutch international could add in abundance.
Xavi Simons quality stood out last night.
Xavi Simons replaced Justin Kluivert in the 78th minute of last night’s match. From the moment he stepped onto the pitch against Spain he changed the match. He picked up an assist when he set up Ian Maatsen to score in the 79th minute with a sublime pass. Simons also got himself on the scoresheet as he calmly converted a penalty in the 109th minute of last night’s match. But that only tells part of the story of Simons’ performance.
Xavi Simons vs Spain
Changed The Game pic.twitter.com/nk1T77BpEn
— FlipComps (@OnFraudWatch) March 24, 2025
The clip above demonstrates the quality of Xavi Simons. Being a product of Barcelona’s famed academy system the Dutch international is a quality player in possession. He is also a dangerous player in the final third and all of those skills would slot into Pep Guardiola’s squad. Simons played two key passes and also won 3 of his 5 duels in statistics sourced from SofaScore. It was an all-action display from the RB Leipzig playmaker, and you could see how he’d fit into the current Manchester City squad based on his performance last night.
Manchester City have reportedly made a move for Xavi Simons, but he won’t come cheap, and last night further illustrated this point.
A report from Spanish publication Fichajes has emerged which states that Manchester City are prepared to pay €110 million to sign Xavi Simons this summer. It remains to be seen if City are willing to spend such a large sum to sign the Dutch international. Christian Falk has previously reported that RB Leipzig would consider a bid of over €70 million to sell Xavi Simons. So perhaps City will be willing to pay a transfer fee between those two figures to sign the Dutch international.
Watching Xavi Simons play last night you can see where he’d fit in Pep Guardiola’s squad. That stood out after he came on in last night’s match. At times I’ve felt that he is a player who sits just below Florian Wirtz as the ideal De Bruyne replacement so to speak. But Xavi Simons is a quality player with his best years ahead of him. That’s exactly the type of player Manchester City need and his impressive display last night showed just how he could fit into the City squad. Now it remains to be seen if Manchester City do move for him this summer.
Topics
-
Manchester City vs Brighton – Match preview and team news
Manchester City welcome a high-flying Brighton to the Etihad Stadium this weekend.The Premier League champions have the opportunity to break into the top four with a win this afternoon. Pep ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
There is life in Kevin De Bruyne as he stars for Belgium over the international break
One player who could have a vital role to play in Manchester City’s push to secure Champions League football is Kevin De Bruyne. At times this season, it has appeared that the end is near for the ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Five things to look out for during the international break
Five things to look out for in the international break, ahead of crucial clashes in the Nations League and 2026 World Cup qualification.Who will progress in the inaugural Nations League ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
One Manchester City player looks like he would benefit from an extended break
This season has been a battle for Phil Foden. As Manchester City have struggled their plight could be summed up by Foden’s performances this campaign. He has failed to reach the lofty heights we ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
A Dutch international continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City but does he fit City’s needs?
It is obvious to any keen observer of Manchester City that they must sign a right-back this summer. Currently, Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes fill the role for Pep Guardiola’s side. But both players, ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
“It’s not ideal he’s in newspapers” – Thomas Tuchel explains Jack Grealish absence from England World Cup Qualifiers Squad
Thomas Tuchel has pointed to the noise around Jack Grealish off the pitch to explain the Manchester City forward’s exclusion from England’s World Cup qualifiers squad.Grealish was snubbed by Garet...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Five talking points on Nations League, World Cup qualifiers in Europe
International football gets underway in Europe for the first time in 2025 as the Nations League moves into the quarter-finals stage and the continent's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign gets ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Chelsea win Women’s League Cup final after own goal denies Manchester City
Women’s League Cup final: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City Ramírez 8, Hasegawa 77og; Fujino 64 It seems as though nothing can stop Sonia Bompastor in English football. Not a change of manager from ...The Guardian - Mar. 15 -
Manchester City star gifted Mercedes Benz G-Class after Premier League heroics upon reporting for international duty
Abdukodir Khusanov was gifted with a Mercedez Benz G-Class upon his arrival to the Uzbekistan National Team camp at Tashkent last week.The 21-year-old has received huge plaudits for his seamless ...Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Sterling's Madison Austin named All-State second team by Illinois Media
Mar. 25—The Illinois Media All-State girls basketball teams were released Tuesday, with a trio of Sauk Valley area players earning spots. In Class 3A, Sterling senior Madison Austin was voted to ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Shedeur Sanders landing spots: Where QB could end up after Russell Wilson, Giants deal
Russell Wilson is the latest free agent quarterback to sign with a new team this offseason. Here's what that means for Shedeur Sanders' future home.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
2025 Sauk Valley baseball preview capsules
Mar. 25—Ashton-Franklin Center Coach: Brian Treadwell (third season) 2024: 10-13, 3-7 NUIC South (fifth place) Returning varsity: Brock Lehman, sr., C/IF/P; Barrett Becker, sr., IF; Nate Becker, ...Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Stanford women remain unbeaten, beats stacked field in Charles Schwab at Colonial
The Stanford women's golf team hasn't lost in stroke play (or match play) in almost a year.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Oregon State Guard Nate Kingz Enters Transfer Portal
USA TODAY PROMO: Join BeaversEdge.com and get 30 DAYS FREE!MORE: Rataj & Craig Entering Portal | Preview: Beavers vs Huskies | Beaver Baseball Ranks | Reser Files: Scouting Report DL Noah ...Yahoo Sports - 26m
More in Sports
-
Jimmy's back in Miami: Follow live as the Warriors visit the Heat
The Golden State Warriors take on the Miami Heat with Jimmy Butler returning to face the team that traded him in January.ESPN - 11m -
Follow live: Rivals Brazil, Argentina meet in World Cup qualifier
nullESPN - 12m -
Ronaldo: Penalty miss? Knew Portugal would win
Cristiano Ronaldo had no doubt that Portugal would progress to the UEFA Nations League semifinals even after missing a penalty on Sunday.ESPN - 16m -
Blatter, Platini cleared in FIFA corruption case
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and France great Michel Platini were both cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court on Tuesday.ESPN - 16m -
Güler, Szoboszlai continue feud: 'This guy a joke'
Real Madrid star Arda Güler called Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai "a joke" on Monday after the pair clashed in the UEFA Nations League game between Turkey and Hungary.ESPN - 16m