Joao Palhinha is already proving his worth at Tottenham Hotspur under Thomas Frank
Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha has already proven why he is among the best holding midfielders in the Premier League this season. The Portuguese international has been immense for the Lilywhites in the middle of the park, constantly winning back possession and disrupting opposition play. His immediate impact at N17 has made him one of the first names on Thomas Frank’s team sheet.
Many fans raised eyebrows when Spurs announced the signing of the 30-year-old on a season-long loan last summer. Palhinha endured a difficult spell at Bayern Munich, struggling to impress Vincent Kompany during his time in Germany. He looked out of place in the Bundesliga and failed to make a consistent impact for the Bavarian giants, leaving many to question Tottenham’s decision to bring him in.
However, like a duck to water, the prolific midfielder has seamlessly adapted to life in North London. Palhinha has added a new dimension to his game under Frank, contributing not just defensively but also in attack. Remarkably, he is currently joint-top scorer for Spurs, having already netted three crucial goals across all competitions.
Tottenham want to Joao Palhinha permanently in the coming weeks
Palhinha’s arrival has injected some much-needed dominance and authority into Tottenham’s midfield. The Portuguese international’s influence continues to grow, and he shows no signs of slowing down. His most significant contribution so far came against Wolves last month, when he scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser to rescue a point for Thomas Frank’s men at home.
According to Florian Plettenburg (via X), Spurs are “very likely” to trigger Palhinha’s €30m release clause in the coming weeks as they look to secure him on a permanent deal. However, despite their strong interest, the North London club have not yet entered formal negotiations with Bayern Munich. Plettenburg also reports that Thomas Frank is a “big fan” of the midfielder and shares an excellent relationship with him — a factor that could make the deal smoother for Spurs.
This development follows reports suggesting that Bayern Munich have no intention of reintegrating Palhinha into their first-team setup next summer. The Bundesliga champions have already addressed their midfield concerns, and Vincent Kompany does not want the 30-year-old to return and disrupt the squad’s balance.
Ultimately, Bayern’s loss appears to be Tottenham’s gain. Under Thomas Frank, the Lilywhites are pushing to compete across all four fronts this season, and Palhinha’s performances could prove pivotal in determining how far they go. With fixtures coming thick and fast, Frank will be keen to ensure he continues to get the best out of the Portuguese powerhouse as the campaign unfolds.
