Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for a crucial clash against Leeds United this Saturday, desperate to turn their fortunes around after a string of lackluster performances. The spotlight, however, is firmly on their new £51m signing, Xavi Simons, who has come under fire for failing to live up to expectations in north London. Meanwhile, shocking revelations have surfaced about a past transfer saga involving a Brazilian star who snubbed Spurs for their rivals, Chelsea, and the reasons behind Ryan Mason’s emotional departure from the club.
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham side have been scraping by in recent matches, with draws against Wolves in the Premier League and Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League exposing their vulnerabilities. Joao Palhinha’s stoppage-time stunner secured a 1-1 draw against Wolves, while a gritty comeback in Norway—thanks to Micky van de Ven’s strike and an own goal by Bodo/Glimt’s goalkeeper—salvaged a 2-2 result. Now, Daniel Farke’s high-flying Leeds United await, and the pressure is mounting.
At the center of the storm is Xavi Simons, the Dutch prodigy who arrived from a £51m transfer this summer. Despite being heavily linked with Chelsea, Simons chose Spurs, but his early performances have raised eyebrows. Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor didn’t hold back on talkSPORT, questioning the 22-year-old’s impact: “Simons, I’m not sure about. He doesn’t seem quick, and I’m not seeing that spark. He’s on the floor too often.” With only a handful of games under his belt, the jury is still out, but the criticism is already stinging for the young star.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Chelsea star Oscar dropped a bombshell on The Obi One Podcast with John Obi Mikel, revealing that Tottenham had pursued him before his £25m move to Chelsea in 2012. The Brazilian midfielder, who went on to win two Premier League titles and the Europa League with the Blues, admitted that Spurs’ then-manager André Villas-Boas personally reached out to him.
“I had Tottenham as well because Villas-Boas was there,” Oscar shared. “He was the first one to call me. Even later, when we worked together in China, he’d say, ‘Why didn’t you come?’ But Chelsea… I cannot compare. Chelsea was the better choice.” The now 34-year-old, currently playing for São Paulo, stood by his decision, leaving Spurs fans to wonder what might have been had the dynamic midfielder joined their ranks.
Oscar’s move to Chelsea proved a masterstroke, with 200 appearances and a legacy as a key figure in their midfield. His eventual £60m transfer to Shanghai Port in 2016 shocked the football world, but his recent comments have reopened old wounds for Tottenham supporters.
Elsewhere, Ryan Mason’s departure from Tottenham has tugged at the heartstrings of fans. The boyhood Spurs star, who joined the club at eight and later served as a player, interim coach, and assistant manager, left this summer to take the helm at West Bromwich Albion. Speaking to Sky Sports, Mason reflected on his decision to step away after Tottenham’s Europa League triumph in Bilbao.
“In the last 12 months, I had the desire to go out on my own,” Mason said. “I spoke to Ange [Postecoglou], and he told me it needs to feel right. When Albion showed interest, it felt like the perfect fit—a massive club with great history and impressive people.” Mason’s journey, from a promising player forced to retire due to a severe head injury in 2018 to a respected coach, makes his exit bittersweet for Spurs fans.
As Tottenham prepare to face Leeds, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Thomas Frank’s side need a statement win to silence doubters and ignite their season. For Xavi Simons, it’s a chance to prove his critics wrong and show why Spurs invested so heavily in him. Meanwhile, the echoes of Oscar’s snub and Mason’s departure linger, reminding fans of the fine margins that shape a club’s destiny.