Tottenham could turn to Chelsea star Conor Gallagher to solve midfield crisis in January
Tottenham are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements this January, and the perfect player might have just landed right in Ange Postecoglou’s lap.
James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur are both out of action with long-term injuries while Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr will be competing at AFCON in January.
This would leave Tottenham with Oliver Skipp, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Giovani Lo Celso as their only available senior midfielders, a scenario which is not sustainable, and as a result, the club must do something which they don’t often do, act swiftly in the January transfer window.
There is no reason why they can’t have a player through the doors at Hotspur Way during the first week of the month, especially after recent developments at one of their fiercest rivals in the Premier League.
According to an exclusive in the Daily Mail (11 December), Chelsea are considering a shock sale of Conor Gallagher this January to raise money for other areas of their squad. Figures at the club are arguing it makes financial sense to move the midfielder on to comply with the Premier League’s spending rules.
Gallagher has just 18 months left to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge and there are currently no suggestions that talks over a new deal are progressing, despite the England international establishing himself as a regular under Mauricio Pochettino so far this season.
Tottenham were interested in the 22-year-old during the summer and Mail Sport has revealed that the north London side would once again be ready to make a move.
This would certainly come as a real boost for Postecoglou as Gallagher has been one of Chelsea’s top-performing players this season, despite their willingness to sell him perhaps suggesting otherwise.
What is most encouraging is that while Chelsea as a team have been quite poor and inconsistent, Gallagher has often been able to leave the pitch with his head held high after some of his fine performances.
For example, during the west London club’s most recent match, a 2-0 defeat away to Everton on 10 December, Gallagher was arguably the best player on the pitch for his side. The former Crystal Palace loanee completed 91 per cent of his passes, with two of those being key, succeeded with his one dribble attempt, won seven of his nine ground duels and made five tackles (Sofascore).
In the thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on 12 November, the midfielder was once again a standout player for his side, providing one assist, completing 95 per cent of his passes – with two of those being key – and making three tackles.
Gallagher’s defensive work rate coupled with his quality going forward is the perfect blueprint for a Postecoglou midfielder, and considering he is still only 22 he has plenty of time to learn and develop and could be moulded into a top Premier League player under the guidance of the Australian.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou will be left wincing after a Sky Sports journalist dropped some transfer exit news regarding one of his payers.