Tottenham: Roberto De Zerbi called out by fans for ‘criminal’ Xavi Simons decision vs Sunderland

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Sun 12 April 2026 18:52, UK Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is already under scrutiny from the fanbase for his decision not to start Xavi Simons against Sunderland.Simons was only brought on at the Stadium of Light with five minutes of normal time remaining, with Spurs a goal down in De Zerbi’s first match in charge.Nordi Mukiele’s 61st minute deflected effort proved to be the winner, which keeps Spurs inside the Premier League relegation zone.Spurs are two points adrift of safety with six matches remaining, and have now not won a Premier League game in 14 attempts. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Tottenham fans baffled by Xavi Simons decisionSimons was signed for £51million last summer, but the 22-year-old has not lived up to his price tag in north London.The midfielder was not selected in De Zerbi’s first starting line-up, and the Italian has faced questions for not bringing him on earlier in the game.Games Started17Goals1Assists4Big Chances Created6Successful Dribbles43.3%Xavi Simon’s Premier League stats for Tottenham this season.De Zerbi preferred to start with Lucas Bergvall in the number 10 role, whilst Pape Sarr replaced the 20-year-old instead of Simons when he was substituted on the hour mark.In the absence of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski this season, fans believe Simons has been “underutilised” by Spurs’ managers.One fan believes De Zerbi “got an awful lot wrong” with his team selection at Sunderland, whilst another supporter compared his substitutions to Thomas Frank.Thomas Frank, Igor Tudor & Roberto De Zerbi have all underutilised Xavi Simons.Spurs miss that profile without Kudus.However, the fact that 3 managers have all underutilised him despite his quality suggests that he may not be the most reliable defensively or character-wise 🤷‍♂️— EBL (@EBL2017) April 12, 2026 View Tweet They aren't going to win any games if they don't play the two players whom can move the ball up the pitch and win fouls: Tel and Simons, should have started – especially Simons!— The Shelf Life (@TheShelfLife25) April 12, 2026 View Tweet The team was clearly struggling to create, why not put on Simons and Tel sooner or even start them.

I'd have put him on instead of Sarr.— Mark Baldwin (@bloomsburykid) April 12, 2026 View Tweet Granted he's not been great for Spurs but you're 1 down and he leaves Xavi Simons on the bench til 85th minute when you're devoid of creativity,Leaving on Kolo Muani who has zero interest in a relegation battle and taken off Richarlison who Will at least fight for the cause,Poor.— Willie Grant (@WillieG10) April 12, 2026 View Tweet Is it too harsh to criticise De Zerbi after 1 game? Albeit he's not working with much— Los DRG (@tonkaconk) April 12, 2026 View Tweet Shocking from De Zerbi no impact same old same old!!!!

Whole thing stinks!!!!!!!— Sims Racing (@Sims_Racing) April 12, 2026 View Tweet De Zerbi leaving Simons on the bench for Gallagher for over 80 minutes was definitely a choice. Smells like sabotage to me— Z (@ZeeBoogie_) April 12, 2026 View Tweet Johan Lange in the firing line at TottenhamDe Zerbi’s spell at Spurs could have major implications for key figures at the club who have chosen to hire the former Brighton boss.Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that questions need to be asked about Spurs’ sporting director Johan Lange for the decision to hire De Zerbi.Lange could lose his job at the club, with the decision to appoint Igor Tudor as an interim boss having also proved unsuccessful.De Zerbi was handed a five-year contract to become Spurs boss, after there were reports that he would not take the position on an interim basis until the end of the season.