When Tottenham Hotspur learned that center midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur would have to miss a whopping three months - and maybe even more - with a torn hamstring he suffered in a recent 3-2 Premier League defeat to AFC Bournemouth, they did not waste much time in signing another experienced midfielder to take his place.
But instead of landing a deep lying playmaker who can upgrade on Bentancur - as the Uruguayan international had not been doing the job particularly well this season despite a contract extension - Spurs went in the opposite direction with more of a box to box bulldog in Atletico Madrid center mid Conor Gallagher.
The No. 8 was sold by Chelsea a couple of years ago and brought to Atletico Madrid, where he has not exactly hit it off, which is why the Rojiblancos sold him. Aston Villa looked like they were about to land Gallagher, but Tottenham got serious about acquiring the English midfielder following Benta's bad injury.
Tottenham's big need has not changed
But what Spurs need to do now is go back and sign that deep lying midfielder they were already supposed to even before Bentancur got injured. See, Tottenham were in the market for a new midfielder this summer in the No. 6 role, they passed up on it, and then they were once again in the market for one this January.
So with a need in midfield existing prior to the Bentancur injury, Tottenham actually needed to sign two new midifelders. Gallagher is a veteran option checked off the list, and now Tottenham need to go out there and sign that second midfielder.
Tottenham brought in Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons this past summer from the Bundesliga, and both have helped. Palhinha has his negatives on the ball, but he has been a great defensive destroyer and the jury is still out on his future at the club with an option to buy with Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Simons has been getting better and better in that 10 role, shining against Aston Villa in the FA Cup despite a 2-1 defeat.
But Spurs still have not landed that deep lying playmaker to steady the ship and give young Archie Gray a load off his shoulders. Gray, by the way, has wisely started to take more starts away from Bentancur, even long before the Uruguayan's unfortunate injury.
The Gallagher move is something Spurs fans have to wait and see before fully judging, but even before that time comes, Tottenham do need to land another fish in the middle of the park.