Tottenham Hotspur have been spending heavily this summer to keep up with the rest of the traditional Big Six.
Thomas Frank needs reinforcements in this midfield as they switch tactically, and they may have found the perfect midfielder for him in João Palhinha.
João Palhinha was the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League two years ago, earning a big-money move to Bayern Munich.
Things did not go well for him in Munich last season, as he saw very little playing time.
It was a mixture of injuries and his skill set not matching Vincent Kompanys tactics.
Now he gets a fresh start back in the Premier League with a manager who will, without a doubt, get the best out of him.
In this player analysis and scouting report, we will examine what Palhinha brings to Tottenham and how he fits Thomas Frank tactics at Spurs.
João Palhinha At Bayern Munich 2024/2025
João Palhinha completely lost a season at Bayern Munich during the 2024/2025 season.
At 29 years old, it looked to be his last chance to make a move to a big club.
Bayern Munich spent €51.5m to acquire him from Fulham to be a cornerstone in the middle of Vincent Kompanys midfield.
He made only six starts and 17 appearances in the Bundesliga, most of which came at the beginning of the season.
In November, he suffered a muscle injury and had an illness that forced him to miss 12 matches.
He recovered from that injury, but over the final six matches of the season, when Bayern Munich pretty much had the title wrapped up and you expected him to get playing time, he only accumulated a total of 14 minutes.
What you have to know about Palhinha is that he is one of the best pure ball-winning midfielders in world football, but hes not elite on the ball.
Bayern Munich averaged 67.9% possession and a 76.2% field tilt, which was the highest among Europes top-five leagues.
Vincent Kompanys 2-4-4 build-up system requires his double pivot to play higher up and in the centre of the pitch, overloading opponents and playing right through the middle.
This didnt really fit Pahlinhas strengths, so Kompany trusted the trio of Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Leon Goretzka instead.
That is not a knock on Palhinha; it was simply a terrible fit between player and club.
João Palhinha: A Pure Ball WinnerSubscribe To TFA To Unlock All Posts - Free 7 Day Trial
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