You were very lucky! — Ex-Chelsea star claims Maresca dodged bullet by avoiding Xavi Simons

Simons has had a difficult start to his Tottenham career, and his performance in the recent 1-0 defeat to Chelsea drew significant criticism.

The Dutch international, a high-profile summer signing, was not Tottenham's initial target for the No. 10 role. The club reportedly turned to him only after failing to secure deals for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze.

While his arrival was seen as a coup, particularly with Chelsea also in pursuit, Simons has yet to find his form, managing just one assist and no goals in 12 appearances.

Former Spurs player Jamie O’Hara did not hold back in his assessment on talkSPORT. "It feels like we signed an Antony," he said, comparing Simons to Manchester United's expensive flop. "Xavi Simons, I’m sick to death of him. He gives the ball away... It’s like we’re playing with ten men. I’m sick of it, £52 million we spent and he’s bang average."

Leboeuf echoed these sentiments, arguing that Tottenham had misjudged the player's true capabilities based on a limited track record.

"Xavi Simons played one good year for Leipzig—that wasn’t the case for Paris Saint-Germain before—and an average season last season, and was sold for £52 million to Tottenham Hotspur," the ex-France international told ESPN.

"And you expect what? What do you expect from those players who have one good year of football? To be a game changer?

"People are dreaming, dreamers. I don’t get that."