Tottenham Hotspur have a huge couple of months ahead of them in the Premier League, with Igor Tudor the man tasked with changing their fortunes until the end of the season.
The 47-year-old has been appointed as the Lilywhites manager until the end of the season, subsequently being tasked with keeping the club in England’s top-flight.
He arrives in North London with the club just six points clear of the relegation zone, with his first task being to navigate the small matter of the North London Derby.
With the transfer window now closed, the Croatian will only be able to call upon the players already on the books - with many senior options currently unavailable due to injury.
Tudor still has a plethora of attacking options at his disposal, but there’s no denying he wishes he could call upon one player who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his time with the Lilywhites.
The impact of Dele Alli at Tottenham Hotspur
Back in the summer of 2015, Spurs completed the £5m signing of midfielder Dele Alli from League Two side MK Dons, with the younger arriving as an unknown quantity to many supporters.
The baby-faced 19-year-old was expected to link up with the academy setup, but he was catapulted into the senior ranks and took the Premier League by storm despite his tender age.
He ended up racking up a total of 146 appearances in his first three years at White Hart Lane, scoring 67 times and registering 55 assists - even winning the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award back to back.
Such form made him one of England’s brightest young talents, but unfortunately, his impressive form would take a nose-dive in North London - with off-the-field issues starting to affect his performances.
José Mourinho’s appointment saw the former Chelsea man question the players' work ethic, which resulted in the star often being handed minutes off the bench.
His interview with Gary Neville gave the supporters an insight into his struggles away from the pitch, with such a situation handing the fanbase a touch of sympathy amid his struggles.
Spurs' new Dele Alli could be under threat
After Frank’s dismissal from the role, rumours have been circling over a potential reunion with former manager Mauricio Pochettino, but such a move now appears to be on hold.
Tudor’s temporary appointment in North London could see the Argentine return to the club in the summer after he’s finished managing USA at the 2026 World Cup.
The 53-year-old was the manager to get the best out of Alli’s skillset, with no other manager in his professional career able to get the Englishman to a similar level.
However, after his appointment in North London in recent days, Tudor will have a similar player to the former fan-favourite in the form of midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Prior to his £34m move to join the Lilywhites, his playstyle had been compared to his compatriot, with both liking to pick the ball up in deep areas and having an impact in the final third.
As a result of his showings at Chelsea, the 26-year-old was dubbed as a “Poch-era Dele Alli” by journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke - high praise indeed given the levels he achieved with the Lilywhites.
However, after his subsequent move to join Spurs in the summer, he’s failed to hit the heights many anticipated, with his recent performances showcasing his struggles.
His latest showing against Newcastle United was evidence of the struggles he’s faced, with Tudor needing to drop him from his starting eleven after taking the reins.
Gallagher featured for 70 minutes, but he could only completed 79% of the passes he attempted and subsequently gave the ball away on 12 separate occasions.
He also failed to complete any of the dribbles he attempted, whilst failing to make any interceptions - which highlights his lack of impact at both ends of the pitch.
The Englishman has simply failed to add to the ranks since his big-money transfer, with such a move already having glimpses of being a huge waste of money.
Tudor’s arrival will certainly inject fresh impetus and ideas into the senior ranks, which is certainly needed following the recent struggles in the Premier League.
However, if he is to lead the side up the table during his short tenure, Gallagher must not be a regular starter, with the midfielder simply not at the level required for success.