Xavi Simons has reflected on the impact that Roberto De Zerbi had on his own game and on Tottenham Hotspur when he walked through the door three and a half months ago.Many people were tipping Spurs for relegation when the Italian replaced Igor Tudor, and some were even questioning why he took the job in the first place.However, fast forward three months, and the decision now looks like a masterstroke, as not only did he keep the Lilywhites in the Premier League, but his squad has also been boosted with several top-class additions.Reports indicate that De Zerbi has set his sights on achieving Champions League qualification next season, and one Spurs star has now confessed that the 46-year-old’s impact was immediate.Credit: @thefrederikkejensen / InstagramXavi Simons reveals the difference between Roberto De Zerbi and his predecessors at TottenhamAfter struggling to live up to his potential under Thomas Frank, Xavi came into his own in the first few matches under De Zerbi.The attacking midfielder only played three times under the Italian before his season was cut short by a serious injury, but the 22-year-old has now confessed that he and the former Brighton boss clicked instantly.When asked about his experience of working with De Zerbi, the Tottenham star told The Daily Mail: “I started to find my flow with him, the way he wants to play football. If I’m honest with you, from the day he came in, he changed the mentality of the club with the way he transmits what he wants.“Something was different from the first day. New energy, new boost. Sometimes in bad situations, you only need a small change to make a massive difference, and that small change was Roberto.“When he was a player, he played as a No 10, like me. He knows how I feel in certain situations. It’s true, I need that kind of freedom to feel good about my game. He gave me confidence, and that’s what you need as a player.“When you don’t feel confidence or trust from the manager, it’s a little bit difficult. From day one, he gave that to the whole team, especially to me. And then of course things like this happen. Only the second injury in my entire life.”Xavi opens up his emotions after his ACL injuryJust as the Dutchman was coming into his own under De Zerbi, he injured his ACL against Wolves, which meant that he could play no further part in Tottenham’s quest to avoid relegation.Xavi admitted that the first few weeks of his injury were extremely challenging mentally as it was the first major injury of his career, but revealed that he has used his time out of the game for reflection.When asked about the injury which put him out of the final four games of last season and the World Cup, he said: “It was a little bit painful at the start. After the operation, you have to spend a couple of days in bed doing nothing. You really don’t have the power to do anything. You cannot stand up, you cannot go to the toilet alone, you don’t even have the appetite to eat.“It was hard at the start, but my family came to the hospital and then it was like, ‘OK let’s move on’. This is a lesson in life. My first big injury and I’m seeing things in life I didn’t see before. Everything goes so fast, especially in football. This is the first moment to do other things.“I’m still young. I’ve experienced a lot in my life – my personal life as well as my football life, and now is the moment to be calm and see things differently. A time of reflection. A new beginning. I’m very happy we finished the season on a high because the season was not good.”READ MORE: ‘Impossible’ – Tottenham star refuses to sign an Arsenal shirt at the World CupThe post Xavi Simons reveals how De Zerbi ‘changed the mentality’ at Tottenham from day one appeared first on Spurs Web.