Ex-Premier League striker claims Liverpool should have signed Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer
Tottenham Hotspur overcame a difficult start to the summer transfer window and ended it on a positive note.
In the final week of the transfer window, Spurs signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and Randal Kolo Muani on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain. They also strengthened Thomas Frank’s midfield unit with the acquisition of Joao Palhinha.
Joao Palhinha has signed for the Lilywhites on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, with an option to sign him permanently. The Portugal international did not look settled at Bayern Munich after moving from Fulham in the summer of 2024. While he won the Bundesliga title in his debut season, his contributions to the cause were minimal.
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany preferred the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer and Aleksandar Pavlovic ahead of him in midfield last season, and as a result, the 30-year-old was limited to just 17 Bundesliga appearances. Sensing an opportunity that a deal could be done, the north London club struck a loan agreement with Palhinha. And it has not taken the defensive midfielder much time to make an impact at Tottenham.
English pundit claims Liverpool should have signed Tottenham midfielder
Palhinha has quickly become an important player for new boss Thomas Frank, clocking 154 minutes across three Premier League games. The Portuguese was a part of the midfield trio that was crucial to Spurs’ fantastic 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last month, with former Premier League striker Alan Shearer waxing lyrical about him, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr.
Given the 30-year-old’s experience and positive impact at Tottenham, former Premier League striker Troy Deeney feels Liverpool should have signed Palhinha from Bayern in the summer. Discussing on Liverpool’s transfer business on The Football Exchange podcast, the English pundit claimed the Spurs loanee would have been a great option in the No.6 role for the Reds to allow the creative player to thrive in the final third.
“Now who would be your guy that you would sign from one of the other five classic clubs for Liverpool?” Troy Deeney was asked on The Football Exchange podcast.
“I’ve got a couple here actually. Again, this is very This is not a sexy name, but Palhinha,” he said.
“Somebody like that that can just come in and sit in that awkward six role that can break things up and give it to the better players, without being disrespectful, I’m going to stick with Palhinha.”
Tottenham bagged a smart Palhinha deal
Deeney is perhaps right in saying that Liverpool should’ve signed Palhinha to solidify their midfield unit. While Arne Slot’s side have enjoyed a great start to their title defence with nine points from their opening three games, they have looked vulnerable at the back. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have not yet hit top form, allowing the opposition teams to carve through their midfield and cause problems.
Palhinha would’ve been a good addition for the Reds, but Spurs have him now and the midfielder destroyer’s value to Frank’s team has been recognisable. Frank admitted his club were lucky to sign the Portugal star, and it is easy for the Tottenham fans to understand why.