‘He ticks all three boxes’ – Thomas Frank says Gallagher will bring goals to Spurs | OneFootball

Thomas Frank says new signing Conor Gallagher “ticks all three boxes” for Spurs, as they look to return to winning ways against West Ham on Saturday.

Gallagher completed a £35m move from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. With James Maddison out for the majority of the season with an ACL injury, Rodrigo Bentancur out with a hamstring problem and Dejan Kulusevski missing since May with a knee injury, the Englishman could be key for Spurs in midfield.

The former Chelsea and Crystal Palace midfielder brings with him an outstanding injury record, having not missed a single match across his 268-game career.

When asked how significant Gallagher’s availability was in the decision to sign him, Frank replied: “I don’t think it’s rocket science. I think a lot of clubs want to do that.

“But, I think a couple of things you look at when you want to sign a player, you want, of course, key abilities that fit in the role you’re looking for.

“Let’s say an number eight position, you want a pressing player arriving in box-to-box, midfielder, technical abilities, scoring goals, whatever it is.

“Then you always like to have a ten out of ten character. Of course, robustness is also a key area.

“He ticks, I think, all three boxes in what we want.”

After recent injuries for Richarlison and Bentancur, Frank was asked if he was worried about Spurs’ ‘injury curse’ affecting the 25-year-old, he responded: “Touch wood, no. I am not worried.”

Having finalised his move earlier this week and already participated in training with the rest of the team, Gallagher is expected to be involved as soon as this weekend.

“I think he’s very good to end on (finish) chances, and also I think that to have a midfielder that can add with goals as well.

“I think it’s a huge quality because, of course, you always say that you need a striker that scores 20 plus goals, but in reality, you just need enough goals in the team. And these days we know also it can be a winger that is the top scorer.

“So, to have a midfielder that I think can add a good amount of goals in a full season, I think it’s a huge quality.

“His ability to arrive in the box or in and around the box, either from where we’re banking teams in or from high-pressure situations or whatever we talk about, he’s very good at that. And as I say, I think he’s a clever finisher.”