MY ACCOUNT
PSV Eindhoven midfielder Xavi Simons has praised manager Ruud van Nistelrooy ahead of tonight’s Europa League tie with Sevilla.
Simons, 19, joined the Dutch giants on a five-year deal from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
And the Netherlands international has shone under former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Van Nistelrooy, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in 21 Eredivisie outings.
Speaking as part of UEFA’s Wonderkids series, Simons said: “You can see in my game that I really enjoy playing for both him and the club.
“He was an incredible striker who scored lots of goals and I can learn from him.
“The way he finished them, the action he used, is incredible.
“I’m a midfielder but I can also score goals and I believe I can score even more with his help.”
Search for silverware
Having finished second in their Europa League group to Arsenal, Van Nistelrooy’s men now face a two-legged knockout round play-off with six-time winners Sevilla.
And the prospect of European success is one that appeals to PSV’s No7.
Simons added: “We hope to win the competition.
“Playing in the Europa League has really helped me develop. You play against top European teams and playing these kinds of teams is really important for your career.
“You know a lot of people are watching these games.
“When you step on to the pitch it’s really special. You hear the music, and you see all the fans going crazy and that gives you the adrenaline to keep pushing and win the game.
“You play against top teams like Arsenal, and it improves you as an individual player but also as a team. The quality is high.”
X-factor
Simons spent almost a decade at Barcelona’s La Masia academy before moving to PSG.
Playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar, the teenager believes the switch to the French capital was instrumental in his development.
Simons reflected: “When I was seven years old, I saw Messi and Neymar playing, and now I’m lucky enough to have played with them in the same team, training with them and learning a lot from them.
“They’re still winning titles and scoring goals and enjoying the game.
“That’s the most important thing. You can see it in their faces, they’re smiling.”
Hoping to follow in those esteemed footsteps, helping PSV book their spot in the last 16 of the competition will move Simons and his team-mates one stage closer to silverware.
