Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi says it is like playing with 12 men when Conor Gallagher is on top form.
Gallagher has endured a tough time at Spurs since joining on loan from Atletico Madrid, but he produced the best display of his spell in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 win over Aston Villa which saw them move out of the Premier League’s bottom three.
The 26-year-old scored his first goal for the club to put his side in front, but it was his all-round performance that really shone through, with his relentless pressing.
De Zerbi’s system looks like getting the best out of Gallagher.
“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,” he said.
“Great player, great passion, great qualities. Great player.”
Gallagher admitted it has been a “difficult few months” but enjoyed his evening’s work at Villa Park.
Asked whether it was his best performance in a Spurs shirt, he told Spurs TV: “I think so, for sure.
“It has been a difficult few months for me, for the whole club and this is what I do best, work hard off the ball.
“I am a team player, I try and do what I do best and the fans were able to see that. I’ll keep doing that the best I can to make the club proud, to help Tottenham keep playing like that and get more wins.
“If I am being honest, normally when I scored when you score your first goal for the club there is a relief for yourself, but there was none of that, I was so focused on going again and continuing to play well, knowing how important the three points were.
“I am so happy and so proud.”
The England star may have a new partner in midfield come the summer too, and ironically it's Villa set to go head to head with Spurs for an exciting young talent.
Tottenham 'ready' to launch Keita bid
According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, both Spurs and Villa are 'ready to launch a multi-million dollar international bidding war' for Parma midfielder Mandela Keita.
The Italian club aren't in any rush to sell, but the report claims they ‘can’t refuse’ if they receive a ‘significant offer’.
The 23 year-old, hailed as a 'big signing' by Fabrizio Romano on his arrival in Italy last summer, has had a sensational season in Serie A and is also being tracked by Atalanta, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid.
No player in the Parma squad averages more tackles per game or interceptions per game this term, and Tottenham have been scouting him since February.
A full Belgium international and in with a shout of making the squad for this summer's World Cup, his price tag is likely to explode if he performs on the world stage.