De Zerbi is wrong: £35m Tottenham star needs to leave in January, he’s not good enough
Tottenham Hotspur’s inconsistent start to the Premier League campaign under Roberto De Zerbi has raised fresh questions about the club’s summer recruitment, with Conor Gallagher increasingly emerging as one of the signings whose future deserves serious consideration.
After ten league matches, Spurs have experienced a season of contrasting fortunes. Their campaign began with considerable frustration as the squad struggled to adjust to De Zerbi’s tactical approach and the demands of his playing philosophy. Having finished 17th in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons and narrowly escaped relegation on the final day of the previous campaign, Tottenham entered the summer determined to make significant changes.
The club responded by investing heavily in the transfer market, bringing in ten new players as part of an ambitious attempt to rebuild the squad and restore its competitiveness. Almost £400 million was committed to strengthening different areas of the team, placing considerable expectations on De Zerbi and his new-look squad.
Although the early weeks were difficult, there were encouraging signs that Tottenham were beginning to understand their manager’s methods. Three consecutive victories, including an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, suggested that the team was finally moving in the right direction.
However, that optimism suffered another setback on Saturday afternoon when Spurs were beaten 1-0 by Leeds United. The defeat halted their winning momentum and left them 11th in the Premier League table heading into the final international break of 2026.
For a club that has invested so heavily, such inconsistency is unlikely to satisfy the supporters or the hierarchy. De Zerbi understands that results must improve if Tottenham are to justify their summer spending and establish themselves among the league’s leading sides.
There have nevertheless been noticeable improvements in recent performances, particularly in midfield. The arrival of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, whose combined transfer fees reached approximately £185 million, has provided the team with greater quality, energy and control in the middle of the pitch.
Both players have gradually established themselves as important figures in De Zerbi’s starting XI, helping to create a more balanced midfield structure. Their technical ability, work rate and understanding of the game have given Tottenham a stronger foundation, although the manager still has an important problem to resolve.
That problem concerns the number ten position.
De Zerbi’s preferred system benefits considerably from having a natural attacking midfielder capable of connecting the midfield with the forward line, creating chances and operating between the opposition’s defensive lines. Unfortunately, Tottenham have struggled to find consistency in that position because of recurring injury problems.
James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons have all been affected by fitness issues, leaving the manager without several of his most suitable options. Their absence has forced De Zerbi to experiment with different players in an advanced role, but the results have been far from convincing.
Omar Marmoush, who arrived from Manchester City during the summer, was expected to provide additional attacking quality and creativity. However, the Egyptian international has struggled to deliver the influence many anticipated, raising questions about how effectively he fits into Tottenham’s current system.
Fernandes and Archie Gray have also been deployed in more advanced positions, but neither experiment has completely addressed the team’s creative shortcomings.
Another player given opportunities in the role has been Conor Gallagher. However, his performances have done little to convince supporters that he possesses the qualities required to become a reliable attacking option for De Zerbi.
Gallagher’s Tottenham Career Is Becoming Increasingly Difficult to Justify
Gallagher arrived in north London in January 2026 after Tottenham agreed a reported £35 million transfer with Atletico Madrid. The former Chelsea midfielder signed a long-term contract and was expected to bring energy, aggression, leadership and attacking contributions to the squad.
His reputation suggested that he could become an important addition, particularly because of his ability to cover significant ground, press opponents and contribute in both penalty areas.
However, his Tottenham career has not developed as expected.
Despite receiving more than 1,500 minutes of Premier League football, Gallagher has managed only two league goals. He has also collected five yellow cards during that period, highlighting a disappointing return for a player who was recruited to offer considerably more than simply defensive energy.
While his work rate has never been the main concern, Tottenham need midfielders who can make a meaningful difference when the team is in possession. Gallagher has struggled to provide the creativity, composure and attacking influence required to improve the side.
His lack of productivity becomes even more concerning when considering the competition for places at the club. Tottenham have invested heavily in their midfield, and the current group contains several players who appear better suited to the responsibilities De Zerbi expects from his central midfielders.
There is also a growing argument that Gallagher’s best qualities are not particularly suited to the role he has been asked to perform. He is naturally more comfortable operating as an energetic box-to-box midfielder, where he can press aggressively, support defensive transitions and make late runs into the opposition’s penalty area.
Expecting him to become the creative influence behind Tottenham’s attack may therefore be asking him to perform a job that does not fully match his strengths.
Nevertheless, professional football is ultimately about delivering performances, and Gallagher has yet to establish himself as an indispensable member of the squad.
De Zerbi Reportedly Has No Intention of Selling Him in January
Despite the growing criticism surrounding Gallagher’s performances and reported interest from other clubs, Tottenham may not be prepared to consider an immediate departure.
According to a report by Football Insider, De Zerbi has no intention of allowing the midfielder to leave during the January transfer window.
That reported position could prove controversial, particularly among supporters who believe Tottenham should be prepared to move on players who are not contributing sufficiently to the team’s progress.
The manager clearly has his own reasons for retaining Gallagher. His experience, physical qualities and willingness to work for the team could still be useful over a demanding second half of the season. Injuries can also change the situation quickly, meaning squad depth remains important for a club competing across multiple competitions.
However, there is a strong argument that Tottenham should consider the bigger picture rather than allowing sentiment or squad numbers to influence their recruitment decisions.
When everyone is available, Gallagher faces considerable competition for opportunities in the deeper midfield positions.
Tonali and Fernandes have established themselves as key figures, while Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur offer De Zerbi alternative options with different technical and tactical qualities.
The situation is arguably even more complicated in the attacking midfield department, where Maddison, Kulusevski and Simons are all capable of competing for opportunities when fully fit.
Consequently, Gallagher’s route into the starting XI is becoming increasingly difficult to identify.
Even securing a regular place on the substitutes’ bench could become a challenge if Tottenham’s preferred midfield options remain available.
Tottenham Should Consider Cashing In Before His Value Falls
If the reported interest from other clubs is genuine, Tottenham should at least be willing to listen to offers when the January transfer window opens.
The £35 million investment made to bring Gallagher from Atletico Madrid was expected to strengthen the squad, but his performances have not provided sufficient justification for keeping him ahead of other available options.
A transfer could potentially allow Spurs to recover a significant portion of their original investment and redirect those funds towards an area that requires greater attention.
The club still needs to improve its attacking options, particularly if De Zerbi wants to build a team capable of consistently challenging stronger Premier League opponents.
A creative midfielder, a reliable goalscorer or another attacking player capable of making an immediate impact could offer considerably more value than retaining someone who is struggling to establish a clear role.
There is also the financial consideration. Gallagher is reportedly earning around £200,000 per week, a substantial commitment for a player who has not become a regular starter.
For a club that has already spent close to £400 million strengthening its squad, managing the wage structure and ensuring that every expensive signing contributes meaningfully should be a priority.
Of course, selling Gallagher would not automatically solve Tottenham’s midfield problems. His energy and experience remain useful qualities, and losing another squad member without securing an appropriate replacement could create unnecessary difficulties.
However, keeping players simply because they were expensive signings is not a sustainable recruitment strategy.
De Zerbi Faces an Important Decision
There is little doubt that De Zerbi has made encouraging progress since taking charge at Tottenham. The improved midfield balance, three consecutive victories before the Leeds defeat and the growing influence of Tonali and Fernandes suggest that his ideas are beginning to take shape.
Nevertheless, the Italian still has important decisions to make if Spurs are to move beyond their inconsistent performances.
His handling of Gallagher’s situation could become one of those decisions.
The manager deserves time to implement his footballing philosophy, but he must also recognise when certain players are struggling to fit into his plans. Tottenham cannot afford to carry expensive squad members who are unable to make a consistent contribution, especially when the club has ambitions of returning to European competition and challenging for major honours.
Football Insider’s report that De Zerbi wants to retain Gallagher may therefore disappoint supporters who believe January represents an opportunity to make another important adjustment to the squad.
Ultimately, Gallagher needs to demonstrate that he can offer something Tottenham’s other midfielders cannot. His determination and work rate are valuable, but those qualities alone are unlikely to guarantee him a long-term future in north London.
For now, De Zerbi appears determined to keep him. However, with competition for places increasing and Tottenham needing to make the most of their considerable summer investment, the club may eventually have to confront an uncomfortable reality.
Gallagher’s £35 million move has yet to deliver the expected return, and if his performances do not improve, Tottenham could be better served by selling him in January rather than allowing another transfer window to pass without addressing the problem.
