Spurs sign former Chelsea's academy player

What it earned from selling Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace at the beginning of the transfer window, Tottenham spent about ten days later on Conor Gallagher. The London club officially announced the transfer of the English midfielder from Atletico Madrid in the hope that the 25-year-old will help solve the problems in midfield that have only been piling up over time. Gallagher had been a target for Spurs in several previous transfer windows, especially under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou, but for a number of reasons the move never materialized. This January, however, Atletico opened the door for the English midfielder’s return to the island, and Tottenham also faced competition. Aston Villa tried in recent days to sign him, but given the price they did not want to risk another run-in with financial fair play. Tottenham had no such concerns, splashed out 40 million euros for the former Chelsea midfielder and completed the second biggest transfer in January, a label he will share with the aforementioned Brennan Johnson, who cost Palace the same amount.

Given the circumstances, Tottenham needed Gallagher even more. Much more than in previous years when they had also wanted him. Yves Bissouma ruled himself out through indiscipline already in the pre-season, while injuries derailed first James Maddison and then, more recently, Rodrigo Bentancur. On top of that, Archie Gray has shown himself to still be insufficiently ready, and Joao Palhinha has been playing increasingly poorly of late. And although Pape Matar Sarr will soon return from the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegalese midfielder will not be able to carry the burden alone. That is where Gallagher is expected to step in.

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The occasional England international is expected to bring a host of qualities that Tottenham currently need: to act as a kind of mentor to Archie Gray and to be a more progressive version of Joao Palhinha. In addition, he should bring experience, having already proven himself in the Premier League and, over the past year and a half, at Atletico Madrid. Admittedly, he was far more influential at the Spanish club last season, when he made a round 50 appearances in all competitions, while this campaign he has started only four matches in La Liga. From that perspective, Atletico did good business, as the sale recouped almost all of the money they invested in him in June 2024 (42 million).

“I am very happy and excited to be here, to be taking the next step in my career at a great club. I wanted to be a Spurs player and, fortunately, the club felt the same. It was very easy, it happened very quickly and I am ready to step onto the pitch. I know how great the fans are, I am truly happy to be here and I want us to create special moments and memories together” said Gallagher at his presentation.

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On that occasion, Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank also spoke, outlining his expectations of the 25-year-old midfielder.

“Conor is a top-class midfielder, one whose signing we have worked tirelessly on. He is still young, so he has plenty of room for improvement, but he also has huge experience in the Premier League, La Liga and with the England national team. Conor has also been a captain during his career, so he will bring leadership, maturity and character to our dressing room, while his strength, running, pressing and eye for goal will strengthen us in a key area of the pitch,” said the Danish coach.