Tottenham news: £25m Chelsea transfer snub revealed as Xavi Simons comes under fire

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham will be aiming to move on from lacklustre performances against Wolves and Bodo/Glimt when they take on Leeds United this Saturday

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur will look to bounce back from some poor results when they face Leeds United in Saturday’s early kick-off. New recruit Xavi Simons has been blasted for these recent performances.

Joao Palhinha rescued a point for Spurs when they last were in Premier League action. His perfectly placed strike in added time against Wolves salvaged a 1-1 draw. Spoils were shared once again on Tuesday when Frank’s side travelled to Norway in the Champions League.

An inspired Bodo/Glimt took a commanding 2-0 lead, but a finish from Micky van de Ven and an own goal from the opposition’s goalkeeper clawed back a point once more. Daniel Farke’s Leeds are their next opponents.

Mirror Football brings you all the latest news from the white half of north London, including new signing Simons coming under fire, an ex-Chelsea star’s telling admission, and the reason behind Ryan Mason’s Spurs exit.

Former Chelsea man Oscar opens up about Spurs snub

Brazilian star Oscar arrived in the Premier League 13 years ago when he signed for Chelsea in a £25million deal from Internacional. He made 200 appearances for the club under various managers, proving to be a valuable midfield asset while winning two league titles and the Europa League.

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He turned heads in 2016 when he accepted a move to the Chinese Super League. Oscar penned a lucrative four-year deal with Shanghai Port after transferring for an estimated £60m.

Speaking to former team-mate John Obi Mikel on his The Obi One Podcast, Oscar has now revealed that before he moved to west London he was approached by Spurs. The 34-year-old, who still plays in Brazil for São Paulo, admits Chelsea were the better choice.

“I had Tottenham as well, because André Villas-Boas was there,” he said. “Villas-Boas was the first one to call me. I played under Villas-Boas in China, and he always said, ‘I talked to you, why didn’t you come?’ But, you know, Chelsea… I cannot compare. Chelsea is better, so I chose Chelsea. And it was the right choice.”

Xavi Simons doubts raised

Dutch international Simons completed an opposite move to Oscar’s this summer when he touched down in north London despite being heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

Simons cost Spurs £51m and while he is still finding his feet in English football, some have been quick to jump the gun and doubt his abilities. Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor voiced his concerns on talkSPORT after Tottenham’s 2-2 draw against Bodo/Glimt.

“Simons, I’m not sure about,” Agbonlahor stated. “It’s early on, we don’t want to judge players after five, six games, but I’m really not sure about him.

“You know, sometimes you see a player and you’re like, ‘Oh okay, I like him, yeah, yeah, I like what he’s about.’ But I watch Simons and I’m like, ‘Oh, he’s on the floor.’ He doesn’t seem rapidly quick when I watch him as well.”

Ryan Mason sheds light on Tottenham exit

Boyhood Tottenham star Mason had been associated with the club from the age of eight before he waved goodbye to become West Bromwich Albion manager this summer. He played for Spurs from 2008 to 2016 and served as interim head coach on two separate occasions while acting as an assistant under multiple managers.

The 34-year-old, who was forced to retire in 2018 after suffering a severe head injury, has now spoken out about leaving the club after their Europa League success in Bilbao.

“In the last 12 months I had the desire [to go out on my own] and it felt like the time was right,” Mason told Sky Sports. “I spoke to Ange [Postecoglou] and he advised me it needs to feel right, and when it does, go for it.

“I spoke to some clubs in the last 12 months, but nothing felt right. The way the season ended in Bilbao with Spurs was amazing. When I understood [West Brom] Albion were interested, it felt right. It’s a massive club with great history and impressive people. I felt a real alignment and connection straight away.”

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