Roberto De Zerbi is on course to helping Tottenham stay in the Premier League.
There has been a lot of news lately around the Lilywhites’ stand on bringing Joao Palhinha to Hotspur Way on a permanent transfer. And Tottenham gaffer Roberto De Zerbi was touching that question in his recent press conference, and the former Brighton manager has given the clearest public indication that Spurs want to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent deal when the summer transfer window comes around.
Ahead of Tottenham’s game for the upcoming GW36 against Leeds, he insisted that the Portuguese midfielder is exactly the type of player and person that he wants to build his roster around.
Did De Zerbi just back Palhinha transfer?
One of the journos in the pre-game presser was direct about his question around Palhinha, and the 56-year-old did not hesitate to be open about his thought process.
RDZ said (via. The Athletic)
“100%. We have to start with this type of person. More than players, we need reliable people and players and Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure but as a guy. I want to see players have the same personality, attitude and spirit and we’re lucky to have him.”
Palhinha was brought in on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich after the Lilywhites supporters called extensively for a marquee midfielder. He was when Thomas Frank took charge of the proceedings at N17. And along the season, the former Fulham man has quietly become one of the most important players on the roster at N17 (especially in the second half of the ongoing season).
The former Fulham star netted the winner against Wolves, and he also had an outstanding outing in the Lilywhites’ 2-1 win over Aston Villa, showing just how important he can be at the base of the midfield. And Palhinha has now also reached 100 Premier League tackles for the season, showing how he has been grinding it out in the middle of the park.
Tottenham still trying to lower price point
There were reports earlier this month insisting that Tottenham are trying to push in negotiations with Bayern Munich to lower that £25m buy option that is written in the loan agreement with the German giants.
Palhinha is not your glamorous midfielder, but he is exactly the type of player that you’d need in the second phase when a club is rebuilding (something that Tottenham are expected to undergo in the summer).
And he will give RDZ the consistency that they badly need week in, week out.
So if Tottenham are to stay in the PL, the permanent deal would be inevitable (at least by those comments above).
Would you take Palhinha at Tottenham in the next summer transfer window? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.