According to reports, Chelsea will sign RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons this summer. The Dutch midfielder is reportedly keen on the move, and Chelsea are eager to wrap up the deal quickly, as it could be their final attacking addition of the transfer window.
Xavi Simons has been regarded as a top talent since the age of 12. He has carried that promise into his professional career, impressing at both PSV and Leipzig.
He would be a fantastic signing for any top club, but for Chelsea, this transfer could resurface familiar squad balance issues that plagued them in the middle of the 2024/25 campaign.
Where Will Xavi Simons Play at Chelsea?
Simons is primarily an attacking midfielder, though he’s capable of playing on either wing. However, his most effective performances have come through the middle.
Signing him could mean Chelsea plan to move Enzo Fernández closer to Moisés Caicedo at the base of midfield—leaving Simons to operate as the central attacking midfielder, with Cole Palmer shifted to the right wing.
In theory, this setup sounds promising. However, Palmer has consistently delivered his best performances for Chelsea in the central attacking role.
If his impact drops on the wing, Chelsea could be forced to move him back centrally—raising questions about Simons’ place in the starting XI.
Chelsea have experimented with dual number 10s before, most notably with Cole Palmer and João Félix. That approach failed, and Félix eventually pushed to leave the club in January.
The 2026 World Cup Looms
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Xavi Simons will be desperate for consistent minutes and significant impact at club level to secure his spot in the Dutch squad.
Playing second fiddle to Palmer, Fernández, or even Gittens could hurt his chances of starting for the Netherlands—or making the squad altogether.
Trust in Familiar Faces
Chelsea found stability in the final two months of the 2024/25 season, winning two trophies and finally establishing a clear on-pitch identity.
Enzo Maresca may prefer to stick with the players he trusts—those who helped turn the season around. That could mean limited opportunities for new arrivals like Simons.
There’s no doubt Xavi Simons is an elite talent who can enhance any squad. But as a young player still trying to cement his place in world football, he won’t be content sitting on the bench.
If Chelsea can’t accommodate both him and Cole Palmer centrally, they risk repeating the same chemistry and positional issues that previously disrupted their progress.
