Xavi Simons, the young Dutch midfielder, is once again under the spotlight for his frequent yellow cards, raising concerns within RB Leipzig.
Simons, who returned to PSG last summer after a successful season at PSV Eindhoven, was loaned to RB Leipzig in search of regular playing time. However, his dribbling skills and knack for drawing fouls have landed him in trouble with referees.
Simons has already accumulated eight yellow cards this season, placing him among the top six most carded players in the Bundesliga. Despite being one of the league’s best dribblers, many of his cautions come for simulation or dissent.
In a recent match against Wolfsburg, Simons received another yellow card for “simulation” in the dying minutes of the game.
Coach Marco Rose Defends His Player
Simons’ latest yellow card drew the ire of his coach, Marco Rose, who was also cautioned for throwing a bottle and collapsing to the ground in protest.
In a post-match press conference, Rose defended his playmaker and criticized the way he is treated by referees: “You can think what you want about Xavi Simons, but he’s a great player first and foremost. He’s young and makes mistakes, but there’s always this suggestion that he goes down too easily. He gets fouled every week.”
Simons’ return to PSG last summer raised questions about his playing time, especially with Neymar’s departure a few weeks later. However, according to recent reports in L’Equipe, Luis Enrique, the new PSG manager, is a fan of Simons and is eager to see him return.
Simons’ situation highlights the challenge of balancing his dribbling skills with avoiding unnecessary fouls. While his ability to create opportunities is valuable, his frequent yellow cards could hinder his team’s progress.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings