One of the most in-form players in Europe is RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. The 20-year-old Dutch international on loan from PSG has created an impact of a different level in the Bundesliga, with only two other players having more goal contributions than the 20-year-old. Simons had several options during the summer — including staying at PSG but decided to leave on loan, which seems to be the right decision.

The below visualisation shows where the 20-year-old attacker ranks for key metrics compared to the other right-wingers from Europe’s top five leagues.

Signing for PSV in the summer of 2022, Xavi Simons racked up goals and assists for fun, finishing the season with 19 goals and eight assists, finishing only one behind Dušan Tadić for goal contributions. Simons, however, finished as the joint-top scorer in the league. This is the period that also earned Simons his first international call-up. So, it was apparent he would not stay in PSV for longer and then RB Leipzig decided to beat others for his signature.

Simons, who predominantly plays as a right-winger for the Bundesliga club, can also play as a no.10 behind the striker. His numbers in front of the goal so far this season look incredible, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he finishes as the Bundesliga’s best attacker this season. However, he seems to be overperforming his expected goals and assists numbers by a good margin, and it will be interesting to see if this form of his is sustainable. He also needs to add a bit of discipline to his game defensively and on the ball before he can become an all-round attacker.

Xavi Simons was touted to become one of the best young players to come out of the La Masia recently, and he is so far living up to the hype, but he has a long career ahead, and there is so much potential ahead of him.