It turned out all Roberto De Zerbi needed to get the best out of Conor Gallagher at Tottenham Hotspur was to deploy the oldest trick in the book.
“He just reminds me of when I was at my best,” said Gallagher, who is among those to have benefitted the most from morale-boosting one-to-one pep talks from the Italian. These conversations have formed the backbone of their timely resurgence in the relegation fight.
Speaking to reporters after scoring his first Spurs goal in Sunday’s crucial 2-1 victory against Aston Villa, Gallagher looked a man transformed, the weight of pressure having been visibly lifted from his shoulders. Five months after his switch, he had finally arrived.
De Zerbi’s first two objectives were to take his squad back to basics and to remind them of their qualities. This gentle gap on the shoulder did the world of good for the midfielder, who for so long had looked out of place after joining from Atletico Madrid.
The end result was a performance bursting with imagination and energy, with Gallagher playing an integral role in a win at Villa Park that may just have saved Spurs from the drop.
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Conor Gallagher finally vindicates Tottenham interest
Understandably, much of the discussion among supporters ahead of the daunting trip to the Midlands was focused on how De Zerbi would be able to cover up the gaping void left behind by Xavi Simons, the influential playmaker who will miss the end of the season.
It was telling that the tactician had lauded Simons as one of his “best” and “most important players” after his heroics in the 2-2 draw with Brighton. Without him, Spurs have been impotent around the box and lacked control in the middle third.
But press on in his absence, they must.
As it turned out, Tottenham unlocked an entirely different level of performance against Villa. This pleasant surprise was made all the more curious by the fact that the midfield three, at least on paper, would have had the away contingent wincing and groaning before kick-off.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha held down the fort in the double pivot, affording Gallagher the freedom to express himself in the No 10 spot. De Zerbi had been desperate to restore the latter to his all-conquering Chelsea days, and found the perfect tonic.
Secretly, Spurs’ hierarchy would have been worried. Gallagher was brought in at great expense – £35million no less – but until the weekend, he had done absolutely nothing to show that he could make an impact in the Premier League, let alone on its lower reaches.
There would have been a degree of confusion over his slow start. Ange Postecoglou had wanted to sign him from Chelsea, but Tottenham were not in a position to splash the cash. Ultimately, no formal bid was lodged, and at the end of that window, he was sold to Atletico.
Postecoglou had been angling for more experience in midfield, but the club moved in a different direction, signing two teenagers, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.
At the end of last season, just before he was sacked, he made his feelings clear on the questionable policy of allowing seasoned players to go and replacing them with youth.
They would not repeat the same mistake. Johan Lange swooped for Gallagher last summer, handing him a permanent deal and reaching a swift agreement with Atletico. Thomas Frank also played a part, speaking to the 26-year-old directly and leaving him very impressed.
Over 250 days later, Spurs’ persistence was rewarded.
“When Gallagher plays like this, we play with 12 players because you can find him as a striker, as a midfielder, as a full-back, everywhere on the pitch you can find him,” said De Zerbi at Villa Park. “Great player, great passion, great qualities. Great player.”
How did Gallagher play vs Aston Villa?
It didn’t take long for it to become apparent that De Zerbi’s system has helped to get the best out of Gallagher. That much was confirmed in impressive fashion at the weekend.
According to FotMob, he completed 85 per cent of his passes during the 90 minutes, including one pass into the final third. He also took one touch in the opposition box.
Fielded just off the shoulder of Richarlison, Gallagher often applied high pressure on Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelof, helping to set the tone for a dominant Spurs performance. That also allowed him to register 11 defensive contributions, more than anyone on the pitch.
He won four ground duels and made six recoveries, underlining his newfound importance, while his 100 per cent shot conversion rate showcased his clinical nature.
Having won two consecutive matches, Spurs’ campaign suddenly looks rosier. However, the job is not done yet, and Gallagher will need to repeat his heroics to get them over the line.
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