De Zerbi identifies Tottenham star he cannot rely on after impressive Chelsea win
Tottenham Hotspur secured a memorable 2-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, recording their second consecutive Premier League win.
Spurs delivered an impressive performance and eventually took the lead in the 77th minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to deal with a corner.
Mathys Tel then sealed the victory in spectacular fashion, embarking on a remarkable solo run from his own half, beating two Chelsea defenders before unleashing a powerful finish from outside the penalty area.
The result continued Tottenham’s positive run following their 3-1 victory over Coventry City and a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Roberto De Zerbi is also beginning to establish which members of his squad he can depend on as he works to build a more consistent team.
Defensively, the Tottenham manager appears to have identified several reliable options. Micky van de Ven, summer arrivals Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson, Pedro Porro, and versatile youngster Archie Gray have all provided options he can turn to when required.
In midfield, Sandro Tonali is gradually settling into life at Tottenham following his reported £100 million transfer from Newcastle United. Mateus Fernandes also delivered an outstanding performance against Chelsea, earning the man-of-the-match award and demonstrating why Spurs invested £85 million to sign him from West Ham United.
James Maddison has also made a significant difference in his recent appearances, seemingly establishing himself as De Zerbi’s preferred option in the attacking midfield position. However, his second-half injury against Chelsea could force him to spend some time on the sidelines.
Maddison’s withdrawal resulted in Conor Gallagher being introduced in the number 10 role. Unfortunately for Tottenham, the team’s control and technical quality appeared to decline following the substitution, raising questions about Gallagher’s suitability for that position.
Tottenham’s recent improvement suggests that De Zerbi prefers a technically gifted attacking midfielder capable of controlling possession, connecting the different areas of the pitch, and creating opportunities through intelligent movement.
Although Gallagher brings considerable energy, pressing ability, and determination, his strengths appear better suited to playing without the ball than dictating the tempo of a match in an advanced midfield position.
His limitations in possession could therefore make it difficult for him to fulfil De Zerbi’s expectations in that role.
With Maddison potentially facing a spell out injured, Tottenham could consider using Omar Marmoush or Mohammed Kudus in the attacking midfield position rather than relying on Gallagher.
The situation becomes even more complicated for the former Atletico Madrid midfielder when considering the competition for places in the deeper midfield positions. Tonali, Fernandes, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, and even Archie Gray could all be ahead of him in the pecking order.
Why a January Exit Could Benefit Gallagher
With several teammates competing for his preferred positions and De Zerbi seemingly favouring a different type of player, Gallagher’s future at Tottenham could become increasingly uncertain.
A departure during the January transfer window might offer the midfielder an opportunity to secure regular playing time and return to a role that better suits his abilities.
Consistent performances elsewhere could also help revive his England ambitions, particularly as Thomas Tuchel continues to assess his options for the national team.
Tottenham, meanwhile, could soon have additional attacking midfield options available. Xavi Simons is expected to return from injury in the new year, while Dejan Kulusevski and Maddison will also be working towards regaining their full fitness.
Their returns could reduce the need for Gallagher and potentially allow Tottenham to recover some of the money invested in him.
Ultimately, De Zerbi must decide whether Gallagher possesses the technical qualities and tactical understanding required to execute his plans consistently. Based on the concerns highlighted by his performance against Chelsea, the midfielder may struggle to establish himself as a key figure in the manager’s system.
Consequently, a January departure could emerge as a realistic solution for both the player and Tottenham, particularly if he continues to fall behind his teammates in the battle for regular first-team football.
