MusaTottenham Hotspur secured a memorable 2-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, recording back-to-back wins in the Premier League.
Despite dominating much of the contest, Spurs had to wait until the 77th minute to take the lead when Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders inadvertently turned a corner into his own net. Mathys Tel then sealed the victory with a remarkable individual effort, charging forward from his own half, beating two Chelsea defenders and firing a superb finish into the net from outside the penalty area.
The result continued Tottenham’s encouraging run of form following their 3-1 victory over Coventry City and a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Roberto De Zerbi is gradually establishing his preferred starting XI and identifying the players he believes he can depend on as Spurs look to maintain their momentum.
Defensively, the Italian manager appears to have several reliable options at his disposal. Micky van de Ven, summer recruit Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, World Cup winner Pedro Porro and versatile youngster Archie Gray have all demonstrated their ability to contribute across different situations, giving De Zerbi plenty of flexibility at the back.
The midfield is also beginning to take shape. Sandro Tonali is gradually settling into life at Tottenham following his £100 million move from Newcastle United, while Mateus Fernandes delivered an outstanding performance against Chelsea to justify the club’s decision to spend £85 million bringing him in from West Ham United.
Further forward, James Maddison has made an impressive impact in his last two appearances, strengthening his position as Tottenham’s preferred option in the number 10 role. However, his second-half injury against Chelsea has raised concerns about his availability for the coming fixtures.
Maddison’s withdrawal forced De Zerbi to introduce Conor Gallagher in the attacking midfield position, but Tottenham’s performance appeared to lose some of its control and technical quality following the substitution. It was a noticeable change that could create a selection dilemma for the manager if Maddison is unavailable for an extended period.
There is a clear reason Tottenham have looked more convincing with a technically gifted creative midfielder operating behind the striker. De Zerbi wants his team to control possession, dictate the tempo and create opportunities through intelligent movement and quick combinations. Having a player capable of operating effectively in tight spaces is therefore essential to his approach.
Gallagher brings valuable qualities to the side, particularly his work rate, pressing ability and energy without the ball. However, his strengths do not necessarily align with everything De Zerbi demands from a number 10. His technical ability and composure in possession are not his standout attributes, with much of his best work coming when he is pressing opponents, recovering possession and making runs off the ball.
With Maddison potentially facing time on the sidelines, De Zerbi could consider alternative options rather than continuing to use Gallagher in the role. Omar Marmoush and Mohammed Kudus could offer greater creativity and technical quality in the attacking midfield position, depending on the manager’s tactical requirements.
The situation leaves Gallagher facing an uncertain future at Tottenham. His opportunities in the deeper midfield positions are also limited, with Tonali, Fernandes, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall all competing for places. Even Gray could be preferred in certain situations because of his versatility and ability to contribute in different areas of the pitch.
A January Exit Could Benefit Both Gallagher and Tottenham
Given the competition for places and the apparent differences between Gallagher’s strengths and De Zerbi’s preferred style of play, a departure from Tottenham during the January transfer window could become a realistic possibility.
For Gallagher, leaving Spurs could provide an opportunity to secure more consistent first-team football in a system better suited to his abilities. Regular appearances in his preferred midfield role would also give him a chance to revive his England ambitions, particularly as Thomas Tuchel continues to assess his options ahead of future international commitments.
From Tottenham’s perspective, the potential return of Xavi Simons from injury in the new year would provide another attacking option. Dejan Kulusevski and Maddison are also expected to work towards regaining their fitness, potentially increasing competition for the positions Gallagher might otherwise occupy.
Consequently, Tottenham could decide that allowing the midfielder to leave would make sense, particularly if they can recover a reasonable portion of the fee invested in him.
Ultimately, Gallagher’s situation appears increasingly complicated. De Zerbi needs players who can execute his tactical instructions and maintain the technical standards he expects, especially in matches where Tottenham are attempting to dominate possession.
Although Gallagher has qualities that could prove valuable in the right system, he may struggle to establish himself as a regular starter if the manager continues to favour a different profile of midfielder.
A January departure would therefore give Gallagher the opportunity to find a more suitable environment while allowing Tottenham to reassess their midfield options. If neither side sees a clear long-term role for him at the club, parting ways could prove to be the most sensible outcome for everyone involved.
Musa
