Dick Advocaat advises Louis van Gaal to replicate his Arjen Robben approach with ‘special’ Xavi Simons | OneFootball

Dick Advocaat has advised Louis van Gaal to take the same approach with Xavi Simons as he took with Arjen Robben when he was the Netherlands manager.

Simons is the name on everybody’s lips at the moment with the 19-year-old dazzling since joining PSV at the start of the season, getting eight goals in 10 games.

Calls are growing for him to be taken to the World Cup, and Advocaat thinks he should be, drawing comparisons with when he took a young Robben to Euro 2004, where the winger was his nation’s best player.

“For such a young player it is a great experience to be part of such a big tournament,” he told De Telegraaf.

“But in the end, it depends on whether he fits into Louis van Gaal’s plan. He has to work with him.”

Regardless, Advocaat believes Simons is a “special” prospect.

“This is a special talent, you can see that immediately,” he said.

“That boy is creative, strong in passing, has the ability to score and is not afraid. He takes on the duels without fear. This is a player with a lot of potential.”