Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has given a brutally honest verdict on the partnership between new signing Xavi Simons and Djed Spence after seeing Spurs beat Villarreal 1-0 in their opening Champions League match of the 2025-26 campaign. An early own goal from Yellow Submarine goalkeeper Luiz Junior ensured Tottenham took all three points in a narrow win in north London.
Getty Images SportTottenham enjoy winning start to Champions League
Tottenham enjoyed a winning start to their Champions League campaign by beating Villarreal 1-0 on Tuesday. The game saw new signing Simons and Spence feature on the left flank for Thomas Frank's side, and the Spurs boss feels the two players can develop a good relationship together, but need more time out on the pitch to build a rapport.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportFrank's verdict on Simons and Spence
He told reporters: "I think it was a step forward against West Ham offensively. That is definitely the area where we need to get better, but it's also a little bit [to improve] the relationship. So Djed Spence and Simons, it's their second game together. So too many times they played it too short, or into feet. So, there's something in that definitely. It's fair to say [Simons] and Djed need a little relationship, of course, to get going. No complaints, it's just natural.
"For example, on the right side, Pedro [Porro] and [Mohamed] Kudus, they definitely have something going. I think Lucas [Bergvall] came over to that side, it looks right. On the left side, Xavi and Djed, good against West Ham, but it's not 100 per cent in sync.Offensively, we didn't hit the highest level. There was definitely a spell second half where we decided to just give it to the Villarreal players, and then we just sprint back, which I thought was a very good, and fun, fun thing. But on the flip side, I think Villarreal is a good team, and they defended very well as well. So it was a very, very even game that we just edged."
Substitute Palhinha key to victory
Frank also felt that the arrival of another summer signing, Joao Palhinha, in the second half was crucial to Tottenham's victory. He added: "He's a very good player. He stabilised us more in the middle of the pitch. So that helped, definitely … [The players] are working very hard, and that we have a very good foundation to stand on, tn terms of our defensive organization. We give very little away against a Champions League team."
Getty Images SportTottenham head to Brighton next
The win continues a strong start to the season for Frank and Spurs. Tottenham will now switch focus back to the Premier League and a trip to Brighton on Saturday.
