Highly-rated PSV midfielder Xavi Simons gave a fascinating insight into the difference between Barcelona and PSG training in the aftermath of their Europa League win against Arsenal.
The 19-year-old Dutch international, who was at his sparkling best in their 2-0 win against the Gunners on Thursday night, has an interesting career path at such a young age.
He graduated through the La Masia academy and was tipped as Barca's next big star. But to the surprise of many, he penned a €1 million per-year deal at Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
Despite impressing in PSG's youth team, Simons struggled to break into the first-team at the Parc des Princes, making just 11 appearances in three years.
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So in June, he rejected a new contract offer from PSG to join Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven in the search for regular first-team football – and that's exactly what he's been given under manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Simons has been in fine form this season, scoring 10 goals in 19 appearances from midfield, and a role at this winter's World Cup is expected after a breakthrough campaign.
He impressed once again Arsenal on Thursday night as PSV earned a deserved victory thanks to second-half goals from Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong.
In fact, Simons almost scored a wonderful goal, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
After the game, he made some interesting comments about his improved physical frame, comparing Barcelona's training methods to those of another former club, Paris Saint-Germain.
"Believe me, at Barca they don't do much work in the gym. They work with the ball, but not in the gym," Simons told ESPN. "When I arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, I found the differences. At PSG they worked in the gym.”
Simons added via Voetbalzone: "In Paris you get a completely different life. Ligue 1 is a physically strong competition. Then you have to protect yourself and that was one of my goals. Being small doesn't matter, being strong [does]. I was sixteen when I came to PSG. With all those guys, you notice the difference early on. I train hard and give everything. Football is my life."
After scoring on his debut against Ajax in the Dutch Super Cup, Simons would soon become the Eredivisie's top scorer after netting six goals in his opening four games for the club.
He now sits in second place behind teammate Cody Gakpo.
"I think I made a good decision by going to PSV. I'm very happy, I think you can see that," he said in his post-match interview.
"I will give everything and then it is up to the national coach to decide. It is a dream to participate in go to the World Cup. Who doesn't want to play a World Cup? But first PSV."
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has been known to place his trust in youth, so don't be surprised to see Simons feature heavily at this winter's tournament in Qatar.
Topics: Xavi Simons, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, PSV, Arsenal, Europa League
Jack Kenmare