Tottenham could be about to sign a £33m player Thomas Frank once changed his tactics to deal with

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Thomas Frank is a highly advanced tactician.

The new Tottenham boss displayed impressive tactical versatility at Brentford before his move to north London, switching between several different systems – sometimes even during games – to catch opponents unaware.

Typically, the Dane used a 4-2-3-1 formation, but would often deploy a 4-2-2-2 or a 4-3-3 shape, also tending to field a 3-5-2 system depending on the opposition.

Thomas Frank is now looking to bring players to Tottenham who can adjust to such tactical fluidity, and one who caused him real problems early on in his Premier League career could soon arrive in Conor Gallagher.

What Thomas Frank previously said about Conor Gallagher as Tottenham explore move

TBR Football understand Tottenham like Gallagher and are open to bringing the England international back to the Premier League – where he has not played since August 2024 following his £33m move to Atletico Madrid from Chelsea.

Interestingly, the Atletico Madrid No.4 caused Frank plenty of problems in just his second Premier League game as a manager, after winning promotion with Brentford in 2021.

Gallagher was playing as a marauding No.10 under Patrick Vieira on loan at Crystal Palace at the time, troubling the Bees so much that Frank even altered his tactics to cope.

The 51-year-old said at the time: “We knew he was a very good offensive midfielder who likes to run into the pockets and the half space. We adjusted that and I didn’t feel he was a threat second half.”

Gallagher won the Player of the Season award at Crystal Palace for that 2021/22 campaign, in which he scored and assisted in a 2-0 win away at eventual champions Manchester City, so Frank did well to nullify his threat and contain him, helping Brentford secure a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.

Conor Gallagher could be the most important signing Tottenham make this summer

The man born in Epsom would open up so many doors for Frank in a tactical aspect.

Not only did Gallagher prove himself to be a fine attacking midfielder with eight goals and three assists in 34 Premier League appearances while on loan with Crystal Palace, but the Londoner also showed himself to be quite adept at operating in a deeper role after returning to Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino even made the Chelsea academy graduate his captain while Reece James was sidelined, which suggests he is also a leader in the dressing room.

Therefore, whether Frank wants to use a system with advanced midfielders or deeper midfielders depending on the opposition, Gallagher would seemingly be able to cope with any instruction.