Kieran Trippier worked under Diego Simeone for three seasons and spoke of the positive influence he had on his career
Conor Gallagher is closing in on a return to the Premier League, with Tottenham agreeing a deal worth around €40 million to sign the England midfielder from Atletico Madrid. While sections of the Spurs fanbase have questioned whether Gallagher represents the right profile for the club, words of a former Tottenham player could go a long way towards easing those concerns.
Gallagher joined Atletico from Chelsea in the summer of 2024 and, although his time in Madrid was not always straightforward, the experience of working under one of Europe’s most demanding coaches is viewed as invaluable.
Atletico’s intense, tactically rigid environment has historically forged resilient, tactically disciplined players, and Gallagher is expected to return to the Premier League more complete than when he left.
A useful comparison can be drawn with former Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier, who spent three seasons at Atletico under Simeone after leaving north London in 2019.
Trippier has repeatedly spoken about the transformative effect the Argentine coach had on his career, particularly in terms of defensive awareness and mental strength.
🚨 Conor Gallagher expected to fly to England on Tuesday to undergo medical + finalise details on long-term contract ahead of joining Tottenham Hotspur from Atletico Madrid. Agreement reached between #THFC & #Atleti over €40m permanent deal @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/lCHpTEw193
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 12, 2026
Trippier on Simeone: A much better player
Speaking to Newcastle United TV in 2022, Trippier said: “I feel I am a much better player than when I left Tottenham. Diego Simeone is a very good manager. He helped me with my defensive side. I feel like I have matured a lot since I arrived in Madrid. I was playing with good players and as a manager he was unbelievable. An absolute joy to play for and a privilege.”
Trippier also reflected on the broader impact of his move to Spain, adding: “I thought it was a great opportunity for me to experience something different and to win a LaLiga in the first two years is just an incredible feeling. I think it’s benefited me in my playing career. I feel like I’ve become a better player, a stronger player, attacking and defensively.”
The former Spurs defender went into even greater detail when speaking to the Press Association in 2022, highlighting Simeone’s relentless approach on the training ground. “I feel a lot more experienced, especially playing for Simeone because he’s crazy with me,” Trippier said.
“One-to-ones in training and stuff. He’s just drilled so much information into me in the two years that I’ve been there and I feel like I’ve taken it on board and especially this season I feel I’ve had a really good season personally.”
That same demanding education is expected to have benefited Gallagher, who was often praised in Spain for his work rate and tactical discipline. While he may not have been a guaranteed starter, the midfielder was exposed to a level of detail and intensity that few Premier League environments replicate.
Tottenham’s interest in Gallagher is long-standing. Ange Postecoglou had identified him as a target 18 months ago, and now Thomas Frank is set to secure his signature for a slightly reduced fee, but with added European and tactical experience. At 26, Gallagher is entering his prime years and returns to England with a point to prove.
Just as Aston Villa looked set to complete a loan move for the former Chelsea man, Spurs acted fast to secure a replacement for Rodrigo Bentancur who has suffered a long-term injury.
With a World Cup on the horizon, the midfielder will also be highly motivated to secure regular football and reassert himself in the England setup. A move to Tottenham offers Gallagher both familiarity and opportunity, and Spurs will hope that his Simeone-hardened edge proves decisive in the months ahead.