The air around Tottenham has a fresh buzz, and it’s all thanks to João Palhinha. The Portuguese international officially joined the club last Sunday. He’s on loan from Bayern Munich until the season ends. Right away, he sat down for his first interview wearing the new team colors.
Speaking with DAZN, the 30-year-old defensive midfielder couldn’t hide his excitement. He’s “very motivated” to be back in the Premier League. For him, it’s simply “the best league in the world.” Beyond the league itself, he’s thrilled to link up again with Pedro Porro. They shared a locker room at Sporting. He’s also keen to start working under coach Thomas Frank.
Palhinha described a powerful feeling upon his arrival. “It was a fantastic sensation I had when I got here,” he said. “I am very motivated for the next steps.” He’s proud to be part of such a big club. “I just want to enjoy myself with my teammates,” he added. “I want to start working with the coach and start winning games with this club.” Returning to the Premier League and London feels like a homecoming. “It’s a city I know well,” he explained. “I’m very happy to be here again and enjoy the Premier League.” He emphasized his long-held belief: “In my opinion, I always said it is the best league in the world.” This move is exactly what he and his family wanted.
He feels his style of play fits the Premier League perfectly. “I play central midfield,” he noted. “My type of game belongs to the Premier League.” Palhinha loves winning tackles. “I am a player with a lot of hunger to win tackles,” he stated. His main goal on the field is clear. “One of my main concerns in the game is trying to help my teammates recover possession as quickly as possible,” he said. Once they have the ball, he aims to keep things simple. He tries to give the team the best options. He also spoke about the special bond with fans. “When I make a tackle and I feel the enthusiasm of the fans, I have no words for it,” he shared. That energy gives him strength. “It’s very special here, in the Premier League, to feel that from the fans,” he concluded. “I just want to feel the energy of the fans in our stadium pulling for me and my teammates, in every tackle we win.”
Reunion with Pedro Porro: “A Top Player”
The return to Tottenham means a familiar face will be by his side: Pedro Porro. Palhinha remembers their time together fondly. “We played together at Sporting,” he said. “We won the championship there.” They share “great memories.” Palhinha recently spoke with Porro. “I told him, when I spoke with him in the last weeks, that I hope to win titles with him again.” He holds Porro in high regard. “For me, he is a top player, one of the best right-backs,” Palhinha confirmed. He’s very motivated to win trophies alongside him once more.
Thomas Frank’s Big Role in the Move
The decision to join Tottenham wasn’t complicated for Palhinha. He knew Tottenham was interested. “To be sincere, I didn’t think much,” he admitted. “I just wanted to come.” He credited the coach, Thomas Frank, as the most impactful factor. “The coach is probably the factor that had the most impact on my decision,” he revealed. Feeling truly wanted by a club or a coach means a lot to him. “When we feel that someone wants us, that means a lot to me,” he said. That feeling makes the choice much easier. “When you feel that, I think you are much closer to making an easy decision.” Palhinha is ready to show what he can do again. “Now my home is here,” he said, looking forward to enjoying these moments with his family.
Tottenham holds an option to buy João Palhinha permanently at the end of the season. The transfer fee would be 25 million euros. This amount would be added to the 5 million euros already paid to Bayern Munich for his loan spell this season.
