As a teenager he was one of an exciting crop of young players at Chelsea, whose policy of loaning talent out en-masse led to his first real taste of senior football with Hull City.
Simons had grown up at Stamford Bridge alongside the likes of Lewis Hall, Harvey Vale and Teddy Sharman-Lowe, the England Under-21 goalkeeper who has also been strongly linked with a loan move to the Whites this season.
Not content with another season in Premier League 2 on his return from Humberside, Simons asked for some guarantees on a pathway to first team football from head coach Thomas Tuchel, eventually deciding to sever ties with Chelsea and chance his arm in the Championship instead.
Xavier Simons came through the ranks at ChelseaXavier Simons came through the ranks at Chelsea (Image: PA)
Liam Rosenior had been the chief reason for picking the Tigers – but Simons had hardly got started when midway through the season he was loaned out to League One, playing half a season under Charlie Adam at Fleetwood Town.
He returned to try and revive his Hull career and appeared to be succeeding last season, gaining a regular starting spot under Tim Walter, until the German coach’s departure once again left him with a decision to make.
After considering an offer to play for AIK Stockholm in Sweden, it was coincidentally one of Simons’ new Bolton team-mates, Aaron Morley, who opened up a gap for his next move at Wycombe.
Morley was recalled by Bolton to try and help their own faltering promotion hopes and Matt Bloomfield brought him in as a replacement when his attempts to extend the loan were officially called off in late January.
Xavier Simons in the thick of the action against Charlton in the play-off semi-finalXavier Simons in the thick of the action against Charlton in the play-off semi-final (Image: PA)
Simons saw out the season at Adams Park and played regularly but knew that he faced an uncertain future back at Hull, who had just dispensed with yet another coach – Ruben Selles – by the time the Chairboys were beaten in the play-off semi-final by Charlton Athletic.
With Sergej Jakirovic incoming, it was made clear to Simons and a handful of other players – including Bolton target Matty Jacob – that he would be making space for his own signings, leading to a scramble between clubs in Scotland, such as Hibs, and those in the EFL like Wigan, Blackpool and Plymouth.
Bolton – as they did with Sam Dalby – have once again got the man they wanted in what had become a crowded marketplace.
Simons may feel that by moving to Bolton he can now progress his career in a more stable environment than he encountered at Hull, whilst also trying to push the Whites to play at the same level.
Last season’s midfield was often accused of lacking the right blend of ball-winners and creative types and though he has often been tagged as a “defensive midfielder” during the last few years, Simons’ statistics in both the Championship and League One show much more attacking intent than for which he possibly gets credit.
Xavier Simons has signed for Wanderers on a four-year deal for a reported £300,000Xavier Simons has signed for Wanderers on a four-year deal for a reported £300,000 (Image: PA)
He can play as a defender and possessed the sort of rangy physique that Bolton have lacked since they let MJ Williams leave the club in the summer of 2023. His stats for duels, both aerial and on the ground, suggest a player who is quite happy to get involved in the action.
Furthermore, as a ‘box to box’ type, we could be witnessing a move away from the midfield shape favoured by Ian Evatt in which deep-lying players have traditionally dictated the tempo of the game and seen the vast majority of possession, alongside the ball-playing centre-halves.
Life under Schumacher, at first glance, could be punchier and more direct. If the addition of a traditional number nine in Sam Dalby is anything to go by, Bolton will need dynamic midfield players who had fulfil duties in both halves. And with wingers thrown in for good measure, it could be a very different viewing experience compared to the last few years.
Wanderers have paid a fee for Simons, and the length of his contract is also a statement on how far they feel he can be part of the journey.
Whether it puts other midfielders into a different light remains to be seen. Josh Sheehan has inhabited the ‘quarterback’ role for Bolton more often than most but has also played in a few different roles in his four years with the club; the same can be said for George Thomason and Aaron Morley.
Kyle Dempsey has been used primarily in the more advanced roles but – if he can get through the fitness issues that have dogged his Bolton career – he too would be a player who fits the all-action style Schumacher for which seems to be aiming.
Like Dalby, Simons is a clue as to the new direction, or at the very least what the head coach felt was lacking in the team he inherited.
How the puzzle all fits together will make interesting viewing indeed.