No doubt Spurs fans will be thinking that if their new playmaker, arriving from RB Leipzig for £52million, can have half as good an impact as Modric, who sparkled for four years before leaving for Real Madrid in 2012, then they will have landed a diamond.
Tottenham landed Xavi Simons in a £52m transfer
Simons is good pals with Neymar
Simons came through the famous La Masia Barcelona academy
Simons, 22, also looked up to Xavi Hernandez, whom he is named after, Andres Iniesta and Neymar when growing up.
Simons, who has signed a contract at Spurs until 2030 with an option of a further two years, was in Barcelona's La Masia academy when the latter trio were at the club.
Brazil mega star Neymar in particular was a huge influence, guiding him also at Paris Saint-Germain, where Simons moved to in 2019.
The pair also played against each other this summer when Leipzig beat Santos as part of their pre-season tour to Brazil.
Speaking of Neymar, Simons has previously said: "He already knew me from Barcelona and was like a father for me.
"I will be eternally grateful to him for that. It was a big dream to play with my idol and he's still an important person for me."
On the subject of family, Simons is particularly close to his younger sister Kenza and older brother Faustino, who also acts as his agent.
Simons pays tribute to his siblings every time he scores with his now-trademark phonecall celebration.
England know the routine well, after the Dutchman pulled it off after netting his stunning opener against Gareth Southgate's side in the Euro 2024 semi-finals in Dortmund, though Ollie Watkins ensured the Three Lions had the last laugh.
Simons once explained to German outlet Bild: "When I went to Paris, I talked to my brother about a goal celebration.
"I used to play at centre-back and didn't score that many goals. I knew I had to improve.
"That's how we came up with the celebration. Whenever I score now, I think of him. The celebration is for my little sister and for him."
Having come through two of the most prestigious academies in world football, and having signed his first Nike deal aged 13, Simons appears to have had his world at his feet for some time.
Though his wonderkid status did not stop him from once humbly cleaning the boot of then team-mate Noni Madueke when at PSV.
Simons is one of the most followed young players going with 6.8million followers on Instagram.
His current cartoon profile picture may go down well with new team-mate Dominic Solanke, famously a huge fan of anime.
Simons signed his first deal with Nike aged just 13
Multilingual Simons, who moved from the Netherlands to Spain at the age of three, is fluent in French, Dutch, Spanish and English.
While his interests away from football include video-gaming, including the wildly popular Fortnite.
Spurs fans will be hoping he becomes their new fantasy footballer, having ended Thomas Frank's search for a No10.
Though he may not be the easiest character to handle, given sources at Leipzig claimed he could be difficult at times and sometimes questioned his work-rate.
Leipzig have also been in the process of cutting the wage bill, and given Simons was understood to be earning £9.5milllion a year with the Bundesliga side, it explains why they were willing to sell him.
There is little doubt though over the quality Simons will bring to the Premier League.
For much of the summer, it was thought the 28-cap Netherlands midfielder would be showing off his talents at Chelsea.
But it is London rivals Tottenham who have got him, with the hope he can light up their midfield just like Modric did all those years ago.
Arsenal set to sign Hincapie on loan with option to buyArsenal have struck an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen to sign centre-back Piero Hincapie on a season-long loan with the option to buy him for a fee worth €52 million (£45m/$61m) next summer.Confusion reigns as Real Betis withdraw Antony offerReal Betis have withdrawn an offer for out-of-favour Manchester United winger Antony, just ...

[(Tottenham Hotspur F.C.) Strength]: 1. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. are strongly motivated to keep unbeaten in this home game.2. Brazilian center-forward Richarlison de Andrade has gained significant trust from new manager Thomas Frank this season. In the opening round of the Premier League, he started and scored a brace, including a spectacular overhead kick, helping the team make a good start. In the...
Renowned Formula One figure Flavio Briatore has been seen with two women several years his junior having split from his former partner 45 years younger than him. Briatore, 75, was spotted aboard a yacht in the south of France last week with his 15-year-old son also in tow as they soaked up the summer sun. The Italian, who has recently made a return to F1, was seen conversing in a pair of red swimm...

The world's sexiest volleyball star has amassed an enormous following on social media with her glamorous photos.Kayla Simmons has shown off her sideboob in a new Instagram postShe posed for a series of snaps while enjoying the sunShe was zoned out with her Beats headphonesShe also read a historical fiction bookKayla, 29, often wows her fans with raunchy pictures on Instagram as she travels the wor...

GRIMSBY TOWN shocked the world on the pitch against Manchester United but their players have been scoring off it too.The League Two side knocked the Red Devils out of the Carabao Cup on penalties on Wednesday evening.Charliese Leone is dating Grimsby captain Evan KhouriThey recently celebrated their two-year anniversaryThey first spoke to each other via DMsCharliese is a graphic designer and a cre...

Stunning TV presenter Diletta Leotta has landed a new role and has promised to be ‘pleasant to look at’ after defending her daring choice of outfit at her daughter’s birthday partyDiletta Leotta has landed a new jobStunning TV presenter Diletta Leotta has landed a new role on the Italian version of Match of the Day.Diletta has become a fan favourite on the screen having worked fo...

The current Inter Miami player was blunt with his words: "It's going to be special," he saidLionel Messi in a match with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.Lionel Messi's performance with Inter Miami in the most recent Leagues Cup match (two goals to come from behind) was overshadowed by news unrelated to MLS. The Argentine talisman announced at the end of the match that the game with his national te...

The Canadian golfer is a former beauty pageant queen before she switched careers.Sara Michelle Winter turned heads at a golf tournament recentlyShe left fans amazed with her choice of outfitAnd Winter, 28, is still turning heads on golf courses, even when she's not playing.The social media star is fast emerging as a rival for Instagram golf queen Paige Spiranac.Winter has more than 500,000 followe...

Imagine soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine next to your very own infinity pool and relaxing in the onboard 'beach club' before being treated to a feast prepared by your private chef.Tottenham owner Joe Lewis owns a giant yacht that operates as his "mobile office"Zlatan Ibrahimovic knows how to show off his 34-metre superyachtRonaldo's yacht boasts five bedroomsOr picture yourself trying to work...

Injured Carroll is in Ibiza with girlfriend Lou Teasdale trying to repair their troubled relationship.Footballer Andy Carroll has defied his manager's warnings over his recent romance drama with Lou TeasdaleInjured Carroll is in Ibiza with girlfriend Lou Teasdale trying to repair their troubled relationshipBut it comes just weeks after Carroll, 36, was hauled in for a dressing-down by Dagenham &am...



- 1 TIPS - Atletico Mineiro (MG) VS Cruzeiro (MG)
- 2 Arsenal or Chelsea to win Premier League? Week 2 overreactions
- 3 Lamine Yamal goes public with rapper girlfriend
- 4 'Lord of the Flies mentality' - Herculez Gomez slams USMNT generation’s attitude, points to cultural clash with Mauricio Pochettino
- 5 TIPS - Grimsby Town F.C. VS Manchester United F.C.
- 6 TIPS - Jeju SK FC VS Gwangju FC
- 7 TIPS - SL Benfica VS Fenerbahce S.K.
- 8 TIPS - US Cremonese VS US Sassuolo Calcio
- 9 Kobbie Mainoo Informs Manchester United of Desire to Leave on Loan
- 10 Daily Laugh - Utd's 25/26 season summed up