Fulham expert tells Tottenham what to expect from Joao Palhinha after £4.3m loan – ‘best in the world’ claim made

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham have now completed the signing of Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich.

Spurs are paying a fee of £4.3m to take the Portugal international on loan for the 2025/26 campaign, after Vincent Kompany deemed him to be surplus to requirements at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich only signed the 30-year-old in a £47m move from Fulham last July, but proceeded to hand him just six starts in the Bundesliga last season.

Therefore, those close to Fulham – where Joao Palhinha made 79 appearances – arguably know more about the defensive midfielder than those in Bavaria, and Charles Jones has now told TBR Football what Tottenham fans can expect from the man born in Lisbon.

Fulham expert tips Joao Palhinha to “transform” Tottenham if used correctly

Speaking exclusively to TBR Football, our resident Fulham expert feels this loan deal could prove to be “the signing of the summer” if Thomas Frank utilises the Portuguese stalwart properly.

Jones said: “Palhinha is probably the best player I’ve seen play for Fulham in all my time supporting the club. He’s a genuine world-class operator in his position, and, at one point, I’d have gone as far as to say he was the best in the world at what he does.

“He’s a tackling machine in a way no other player I’ve ever seen in the Premier League is, and that was massive for us when we’d just come up.

“Whether or not that translates into being as effective in a Tottenham team that is much more ball-dominant will be interesting to see. He’s not the best player on the ball, so if Frank is looking to have tons of possession in the midfield, that may end up being a limitation.

“On a loan with an option to buy, Palhinha could end up being the signing of the summer in the Premier League, and, if used in the right way, he will completely transform that Spurs midfield.”

Joao Palhinha has been described as better than Declan Rice and N’Golo Kante

One tough season at Bayern Munich should not detract from just how impressively the towering midfielder performed in England from 2022 to 2024.

Douglas Luiz – who is keen on joining Tottenham – even said Palhinha is better than N’Golo Kante during a chat with the Daily Mail back in April 2024, also putting the Spurs loanee ahead of Joelinton and Kobbie Mainoo.

Palhinha was also put above Declan Rice by Nani during an interview with talkSPORT.

Evidently, the Tottenham loanee has the respect of his peers throughout football, as well as the respect of Fulham fans after making a seismic impact at Craven Cottage.