Chelsea’s move for Simons was hijacked by London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who snapped up the talented Dutchman before the window slammed shut this week.
The 22-year-old can provide the creative spark that the Lilywhites were missing against Bournemouth last weekend, and many fans are delighted to see him arrive in north London.
Many have questioned why the playmaker would decide to join Spurs over Chelsea after making it clear to RB Leipzig that he wanted to leave. However, Simons revealed that it was down to talks with manager Thomas Frank which convinced him to make the move.
"I've had many conversations. But once I spoke with the manager, it was clear to me that this was where I needed to be. I'd had the same experience at previous clubs.
Immediate connection with Spurs
Simons credited Thomas Frank and fellow international Micky van de Ven for making him feel an immediate connection with the club.
"When I spoke with Ruud van Nistelrooy (at PSV), I immediately knew: 'Okay, this is where I need to be and where I can develop myself.' That's what happened at Leipzig. I felt an immediate connection. Not just with him, but with the entire club.
“But the manager is the most important person. I met Micky (van de Ven) there too. It just gave me a good feeling."
When asked if the Netherlands international’s creativity is what Tottenham were missing against Bournemouth, Frank heaped praise on Simons who is arguably one of the club’s best signings in the past decade.
"I think he can bring on a day where I can say our structure building up and all that, because it’s not only about that.
"Then sometimes you need a player that can do something (clicks his fingers) a little bit out of nothing, go past the player, produce a cross, a shot, a pass, with that extra quality that you need on the day, and that’s what I think he can bring.`'