Xavi Simons has followed his feelings on his return to Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. "I always want to make the right decisions in my career. I had a good year here and a good feeling after the last game. That was a key factor," said the 21-year-old midfielder on his second loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain. Simons signed a contract on Monday for the Bundesliga season starting on August 23.
Despite other clubs such as record champions FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United courting Xavi, the Dutch international has decided to return to the trade fair city: "I want to win. The club has ambitions. Leipzig is the perfect place and the perfect time for me."
Xavi is focusing on this season
Another factor will have been the appreciation of the club, which spent months courting the coveted professional. "We gave him the feeling that you are important to us, but we didn't push him every day," said sporting director Rouven Schröder, "the calm has paid off." Furthermore, according to Schröder, the club did not look at other players: "We took our time. The position was reserved for Xavi."
Xavi has been given the number ten shirt and will be looking to live up to the praise he has received in his second year at the club. After scoring ten goals and providing 15 assists in 43 games last season with the number 20, Xavi wants to make his mark on the coming season too. "The focus is on this season, I want to give my best, then we'll see," said the professional, who was loaned from PSG without an option to buy.
Test match against PSG
RB Leipzig will face Xavi's home team from the Olympic city on Saturday (6.00 pm). It remains to be seen whether Xavi will be on the pitch for a longer period of time. He describes himself as "fit" after the three weeks' vacation following the European Championship. However, coach Marco Rose will decide on Saturday whether he is fit enough to play.
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