Tottenham’s fight for Premier League survival has been dealt a massive blow with the news that Xavi Simons will miss the remainder of the season and this summer’s World Cup.
The Netherlands international, 23, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Wolves.
Simons was forced off on a stretcher following a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno. Although he briefly attempted to stay on his feet, he quickly went back down and was unable to continue. Spurs have confirmed the midfielder requires surgery and faces a standard recovery period of six to nine months.
“They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way,” Simons shared on social media. “My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken.”
The injury is a significant setback for head coach Roberto De Zerbi, whose side currently sit 18th in the table, two points adrift of safety with only four matches remaining.
Simons, a £52m arrival from RB Leipzig last summer, has made 28 league appearances this term, contributing two goals and five assists. While he has struggled for consistent form during a turbulent season that saw both Thomas Frank and interim boss Igor Tudor depart, his absence leaves a creative void at a critical time.
“All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me… along with the World Cup,” Simons added. “I have no doubt that together we’ll win this fight.”
The playmaker joins an increasingly crowded treatment room at the club. Dominic Solanke also picked up a knock at Molineux, while key figures such as James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, and Cristian Romero remain sidelined.
Tottenham face a daunting run-in as they battle to stay up, with fixtures against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea, and Everton still to come.