Conor Gallagher has emerged as a timely and strategic acquisition for Thomas Frank, primarily driven by necessity. As a player readily available at a critical juncture, Gallagher was keen to return to the Premier League, coinciding with Tottenham’s urgent need for reinforcements.

This urgency stems from the midfield gap left by Rodrigo Bentancur, whose hamstring injury requires surgery, sidelining him for three months. Beyond filling this vacancy, Gallagher’s arrival serves as a morale boost, signaling to fans that the club is committed to staying competitive this season.

Gallagher brings a wealth of experience from top-tier clubs, where a winning mentality is deeply rooted. Known for his reliability and leadership qualities, he is expected to make a significant impact on and off the pitch.

Thus, Gallagher’s signing is not just about convenience but represents a calculated move at an opportune time for Frank and the club’s executives, who are eager to avoid another managerial search.

Gallagher’s dynamic playing style is likely to resonate with fans. His previous loan spells, notably at Crystal Palace, and his popularity at Stamford Bridge before transferring to Atletico Madrid, have proven his ability to win over supporters. His Chelsea history will likely be overlooked if he performs well for Spurs.

Conor Gallagher is a dependable signing for Tottenham but will not bring much flair

He will give Thomas Frank some much-needed dynamism in midfield and is experienced at 25

At 25, Gallagher is at an optimal age to make an immediate contribution. Tottenham has previously invested in youthful prospects, but Gallagher’s readiness to deliver now is a refreshing change. Meanwhile, another promising talent, Souza from Santos, is set to join the squad, further strengthening Tottenham’s lineup.

Souza is 19 and if he makes an instant impact in the Premier League, it will be an unexpected bonus. Gallagher is different. He is for the here and now.

Tactically, it is easy to see him drop into Frank’s system deep in central midfield be it alongside Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray or Pape Matar Sarr when he returns from international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Yves Bissouma returned this week from AFCON, fit again after playing for Mali. Bissouma is out of contract at the end of the season and available this month.

The one-year option to extend his deal will be triggered if he does not leave to protect his value in the summer but there is no future for him at Spurs, and it would be a surprise to see Frank offer any reprieve after his disciplinary problems.

Gallagher can provide another source of goals. He attacks the box with purpose, threatens the goal, and his 18 goals in 136 Premier League appearances have come at an average of one every 7.5 appearances, a better strike rate than Bentancur who averages one every 13.8 games or Sarr (every 16.5 games) or Joao Palhinha (every 9.6 games).

Gray, now considered primarily a central midfielder by Frank, scored his first Spurs goal at Palace in December on his 36th Premier League appearance but most of the 28 made last season were in the back four.

Concerns do linger with Gallagher, though. First, he is not going to solve the N17 craving for the aesthetics. He is not going to play with poise. He will not spray the ball about from central midfield like Glenn Hoddle nor pick it up and shimmy his way past half a dozen opponents like Paul Gascoigne.

He has been deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, so you wonder where his ceiling lies 

His style is quite similar to Joao Palhinha, raising questions over the loanee’s future 

He is going to graft, win the ball, move it forward and might score or help score a goal.

Those fans turning against Frank might latch onto it as another win for industry over creativity, but the Premier League is following this trend towards power and physical presence.

He is closer in style to Palhinha than Bentancur, which has repercussions on the option clause to convert Palhinha’s loan from Bayern Munich into a permanent deal for £27m at the end of the season.

Gallagher, arriving for £35million, is five years younger than Palhinha, 30. Bentancur, Sarr and Gray are all tied down on long term contracts. Decisions await in the summer.

Frank came to trust Bentancur in his deep midfield role because he was more comfortable on the ball and therefore safer.

Bentancur will accept the ball in tight spaces, protect it and move it on when required, which is vital when trying to play out from deep against a team pressing high. Gray’s mistake at Nottingham Forest illustrates the risks.

Ange Postecoglou preferred Bissouma as his deepest midfielder because he could turn instantly on the ball, beat the first man and if successful would propel the team forwards, and understood there were times when he would lose possession playing this way.

Frank’s style is more secure. The most common criticism of Bentancur is that he is prone to sideways or backwards passes and does not move the ball forwards quickly enough at times or dominate the midfield area.

The main boost is that Gallagher should improve them almost immediately 

So, while Frank will appreciate Gallagher’s energy, aggression and thrust through the centre of the team, he does not solve the desperate shortage of guile and imagination. His arrival might help Spurs operate at a quicker tempo, which is important in the short term, but probably will not add creative flair nor refine their football.

He has been deemed surplus to requirements by two Champions League clubs, commanding only 23 La Liga starts in 18 months with Atletico, which suggests the very top might be beyond his reach as a first team regular, but Spurs are very far from the very top.

Gallagher will improve them. And he should improve them now. That is the most important part.