Why Roberto De Zerbi's tactics now make Conor Gallagher the centrepiece of new-look Tottenham

Conor Gallagher faces a monumental season at Tottenham Hotspur under Roberto De Zerbi.

The English midfielder's return to the Premier League from Atletico Madrid in January clearly didn't go as planned after an underwhelming start to life at the North London outfit.

With the Italian manager coming in towards the end of last season to save the Lilywhites from relegation, the 26-year-old former Chelsea ace finally managed to put in some decent displays.

De Zerbi will surely look to Gallagher as Spurs plan their revival in the Premier League.

After two seasons struggling at the bottom of the table, the 47-year-old head coach is tasked with bringing stability back in N17.

As such, the England international looks like an important cog in the Italian manager's tactical system in North London.

How Conor Gallagher can be Tottenham weapon in the big games

Gallagher's pre-season performances for Tottenham have been encouraging and may hint at the role he could be playing under De Zerbi.

The Daily Mail described the midfielder as an "industrious" number 10 in the Italian manager's 4-2-3-1 shape.

What the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss seems to want from the ex-Chelsea ace is energy to press up the pitch.

Against the big teams that want to control possession, Spurs could utilise Gallagher to initiate their press against the opposition defence.

The game against Getafe at Hotspur Way showed the impact the Englishman could have, scoring one goal, completing 87 per cent of his passes and recording one successful dribble, as per Sofascore.

However, the midfielder also operated in the double pivot during pre-season and in the win against Hoffenheim, completing 90 per cent of his passes, recording one successful dribble and winning seven of his nine ground duels.

How Roberto De Zerbi could shape Spurs midfield vs Brentford

Tottenham made some massive additions to their midfield early this summer after signing Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

The North London outfit have added some impressive quality to their engine room, with players like Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall surely looking over their shoulder.

Despite Gallagher impressing in the number 10 role, it would make sense for De Zerbi to rely on him and Tonali in his double pivot.

Fernandes has only recently returned from injury and it would make sense to give Bergvall an opportunity as the number 10 in the 4-2-3-1 formation against Brentford.

Spurs travel to the Gtech Community Stadium on 22 August in what will likely be a tough test for De Zerbi's new-look team.