Joao Palhinha is making an instant impact at Tottenham under Thomas Frank
The summer signing of João Palhinha is proving to be one of Tottenham’s smartest pieces of business in recent years. The Lilywhites were in desperate need of a holding midfielder after it became evident last season that Yves Bissouma was not the player to take the club to the next level, so the North London club moved quickly to secure Palhinha on a cut-price deal.
The 30-year-old’s arrival at N17 initially raised some concerns among supporters, but he has swiftly demonstrated that he still has plenty to offer with a string of consistent performances. The former Fulham star has been instrumental for Spurs this season, making an impact at both ends of the pitch from the heart of midfield.
Despite being widely regarded as a defensive-minded player, Palhinha has already scored twice in his first seven appearances for the Lilywhites. He netted against Manchester City away from home in August before adding his second of the season against Doncaster Rovers in the third round of the Carabao Cup earlier this week.
Tottenham want to sign Joao Palhinha permanently next summer
Earlier reports suggest that Tottenham have been hugely impressed with how João Palhinha has settled at N17 and made an instant impact for the Lilywhites. The 30-year-old has quickly established himself as a key figure in Thomas Frank’s starting XI, showcasing his quality through a series of consistent performances. As a result, Spurs are prepared to open talks with Bayern Munich over making the Portugal international’s move permanent.
Alasdair Gold has also described signing the holding midfielder for just £27m as a ‘no-brainer’ for the Lilywhites. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Gold said,
“30-years-old, bargain of the summer for me that loan move. And if he continues like this then £27m is a snip to make the deal permanent. I guess it will be a good display of the new era at Tottenham because signing a 30-year-old for that much money is not something the club would have done in the past.”
The journalist added,
“However, it is a litmus test for the new regime. Do you spend so much money on a player with no resale value? But he’s the kind of a player that can make a huge difference.”
Alasdair Gold believes Tottenham should simply pay the £27 million asking price for João Palhinha and secure the midfielder on a permanent deal. The journalist notes that, under Daniel Levy, the club might not have sanctioned such a move, so he is keen to see whether the new hierarchy, led by Vinai Venkatesham, will reward the 30-year-old’s impressive performances by completing the transfer.
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Keeping hold of Palhinha could prove to be a masterstroke, as he is currently among the best midfielders in the Premier League. The Portugal international’s leadership qualities are evident on and off the pitch, and his influence in the dressing room has been clear to see. Younger players such as Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Archie Gray are also likely to draw from the 30-year-old’s attributes and incorporate them into their own games.
