Why Conor Gallagher’s arrival could complicate Tottenham’s creative plans

Tottenham Hotspur have shaken up their midfield plans this winter with the signing of Conor Gallagher, but his arrival has raised an uncomfortable tactical question — one that directly affects Xavi Simons.

Spurs moved aggressively to secure Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, paying close to €40m to beat off competition from Aston Villa after Rodrigo Bentancur’s injury. The speed — and cost — of the deal underlined how highly Thomas Frank values Gallagher’s intensity, leadership and work rate.

On paper, it looks like a sensible move. In practice, it may create a selection dilemma Spurs can ill afford.

Gallagher is widely viewed as a box-to-box No.8, but that is only part of the story. At Crystal Palace, he was frequently used as a No.10 — and arguably looked more effective there than in deeper midfield roles. Even during spells at Chelsea, he was pushed higher to press aggressively and arrive late in the box.

That versatility is usually an asset. At Tottenham, it risks becoming a problem.

Frank’s task is not simply to fit Gallagher in — it is to do so without undermining one of Spurs’ most talented young attackers.

Simons has quietly grown into Tottenham’s most natural playmaker. Aside from a red card against Liverpool, his recent performances have been among his best since arriving in north London.

Even in the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa, Simons stood out positively, offering creativity, composure and threat between the lines. When deployed centrally, he makes Spurs tick.

The concern is not Gallagher himself — it is how Frank might choose to use him.

This season, Frank has repeatedly experimented with Simons out of position, including spells on the left wing. With Mathys Tel pushing for a move and Spurs light on natural right-wing options, there is a genuine fear that Simons could again be shifted wide to accommodate Gallagher centrally.

That would be a questionable trade-off.

Even a system featuring dual No.10s would arguably make more sense than sacrificing Simons’ influence by moving him away from the heart of the attack. The issue becomes even more pronounced when James Maddison eventually returns from injury, further crowding the creative midfield zone.

Gallagher may be a useful attacking option, but he should not come at the expense of a younger, more technically gifted player who looks like a genuine long-term building block.

From a tactical point of view, the solution should be relatively straightforward. Gallagher’s strengths are best used deeper in midfield, where his energy, pressing and ball-winning can protect the team and support the attack from behind. That would allow Xavi Simons to continue operating as Tottenham’s primary creative force in the No.10 role, where he has looked most comfortable and influential. Gallagher could still be rotated further forward when circumstances demand it, but not at the expense of Spurs’ most natural playmaker.

That balance would give Tottenham the intensity Frank craves without dulling their attacking edge. The concern among supporters, however, is whether Frank will actually stick to that logic. His decision-making this season has often leaned towards unnecessary reshuffles, and Gallagher’s arrival only increases the temptation to force positional compromises rather than build around the players who best fit each role.

How Frank deploys Gallagher over the coming weeks will reveal a lot about Tottenham’s tactical direction. Get it right, and Spurs gain balance and bite. Get it wrong, and they risk sidelining one of their most promising creative talents.

Should Conor Gallagher be used to support Xavi Simons — or is Tottenham risking its attacking future by forcing a positional compromise?