Thomas Frank plans to rebuild Tottenham’s Midfield and has decided to show interest in a Premier League Star
New Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is beginning to leave his mark on the squad as he undertakes the challenge of rebuilding the North London club. Known for his tactical flexibility, sharp eye for underappreciated talent, and ability to extract top-level performances from modest squads, Frank is beginning to mold Spurs into a team that mirrors his footballing philosophy—aggressive, intelligent, and hardworking.
Frank’s work at Brentford over the past few seasons did not go unnoticed. He helped transform the likes of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo into Premier League stars. Mbeumo is now reportedly on the brink of a move to Manchester United, while Toney continues to be one of the most coveted strikers in English football. Now, Frank is aiming to replicate that success on a larger stage with Tottenham, a club desperate to return to Champions League contention.
The attacking department looks increasingly promising, particularly with the potential additions of Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest and West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus—two versatile and creative players who would bring energy and flair to the Spurs frontline. However, as Frank knows too well, a successful attack cannot function without a solid and dynamic midfield to anchor it. And in this regard, Spurs are still lacking.
Aside from the youthful promise of Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham’s midfield options remain uninspiring. The club is actively seeking to offload Yves Bissouma, who has failed to make a consistent impact since his arrival and appears to be surplus to requirements. With Pierre-Emile Højbjerg also linked with a move away, Spurs’ midfield is becoming the most urgent area in need of strengthening this summer.
To address this concern, Spurs are reportedly reigniting their interest in a familiar Premier League name: Conor Gallagher. According to TBR Football journalists Graeme Bailey and Jamie Brown, the North London club are back in the race for the 25-year-old midfielder, who is currently playing for Atlético Madrid in La Liga.
Gallagher was previously on Tottenham’s radar earlier in the transfer window, but discussions reportedly stalled. Now, under Frank’s leadership and with Spurs’ midfield needs more pronounced than ever, the club appears ready to revisit the possibility. Frank is understood to be an admirer of Gallagher’s relentless work rate and box-to-box energy—traits that align perfectly with the system he is expected to implement.
Gallagher’s journey has been somewhat turbulent in recent years. Once viewed as a bright talent at Chelsea, he was eventually squeezed out of the squad following the high-profile arrivals of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández. That pivot proved to be the right call for the Blues, especially under the management of Enzo Maresca, who oversaw a resurgence in form and secured Champions League qualification last season.
After leaving Stamford Bridge, Gallagher moved abroad to join Atlético Madrid in a move that promised a fresh challenge. But things haven’t gone quite as planned for the England international. Although part of a title-chasing squad in Spain, he made fewer than 20 starts under Diego Simeone, and struggled to adapt to the slower, more tactical tempo of La Liga. Reports now suggest he is open to a return to England, where his all-action style and high intensity pressing are better suited.
Despite his limitations—particularly when it comes to technical consistency and decision-making in the final third—Gallagher remains a proven Premier League player. His standout loan spell at Crystal Palace, where he impressed as a more advanced midfielder, showcased his ability to impact games when given freedom and confidence.
However, there remains a lingering question for many: if Gallagher wasn’t good enough to remain at Chelsea, why should Spurs believe he can help them reach the next level? It’s a fair criticism, and one that will follow him until he proves otherwise. While he is unlikely to become a transformative figure in midfield, Gallagher brings qualities Tottenham are currently missing—grit, tenacity, positional versatility, and a relentless engine.
For Thomas Frank, that might be enough. Spurs aren’t looking for a luxury playmaker right now—they’re looking for players who can execute a clear plan, apply pressure across the pitch, and bring balance between attack and defense. Gallagher may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he is certainly more dependable than some of Tottenham’s existing midfield options.
If Atlético Madrid are open to negotiating a reasonable transfer fee, Gallagher could prove to be a smart, low-risk addition to Frank’s project in North London. And under a manager who understands how to maximize a player’s strengths, Gallagher might just rediscover the form that once made him a rising star in English football.
Whether fans see him as a marquee signing or not, the potential move speaks volumes about Frank’s approach: pragmatic, purposeful, and focused on building a team that can run, fight, and grow together.