João Palhinha

[Mikey10]

wonder if Vinai negotiating skills are up to Levy levels .

Hope not, otherwise the deal will fall apart at 9.00pm on 31st August and we’ll end up with a “highly rated” 17 year old Sunderland youth team player, signed on loan 5 minutes before the deadline.

 

[Baleforce]

They owe us for bending us over with the Tel deal

He showed up end of the season.

 

[metalgear]

I see that Joao's agent is Gonçalo Palhinha (relative maybe) and that the rumours of Sporting interest are from Portuguese sources, lo and behold couldn't be the agent spreading these rumours to get a good deal for his player , could it?
According to transfermrkt figures we have already paid a 5 million euro loan fee so that would come off any transfer fee , wonder if Vinai negotiating skills are up to Levy levels .

Hope not, otherwise the deal will fall apart at 9.00pm on 31st August and we’ll end up with a “highly rated” 17 year old Sunderland youth team player, signed on loan 5 minutes before the deadline.

the man got us a striker from PSG at the last minute !

 

[Bishop]

There's an easy solution, go for João Gomes instead, I think he's a better player than Palhinha tbh and his skillset actually suits what we need more.

https://www.squawka.com/en/comparison-matrix/?compare=Fj3nauAAa3zSBOrdmHfI8

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

I think we have to what else is out there, if we can get hold of Wharton or someone else, I'm sure RDZ would prefer him, for example.

Yeh, I am with this, CM is a place where we are stacked, and I love Palhi, player of season for me, but I also have to think about, if we can make a quantum leap in quality, shell of some of the pap, he won't be needed.

 

[Rorschach]

For closing out games he's perfect. No brainer for me. An absolute leader on the pitch and won't cost much.

 

[harr1984]

Yeh, I am with this, CM is a place where we are stacked, and I love Palhi, player of season for me, but I also have to think about, if we can make a quantum leap in quality, shell of some of the pap, he won't be needed.

Agree with most of this, but I can't think of many/any players in our squad with his mentality and desire - Until I see our squad with a few more who show similar, I would rather we sign him than not....

 

[Mikey10]

For closing out games he's perfect. No brainer for me. An absolute leader on the pitch and won't cost much.

Agree totally. His age and experience also help to bring a better balance to the squad.

 

[Lemonade Money]

Yeh, I am with this, CM is a place where we are stacked, and I love Palhi, player of season for me, but I also have to think about, if we can make a quantum leap in quality, shell of some of the pap, he won't be needed.

Not for me. Evolution, not revolution. We've just got used to Palhinha, and him to his team mates. Selling him and bringing in another player means that process again. Also, who is to say that Anderson/Wharton/Hackney aren't benefitting from currently being talked through games by an older team mate - you then want them to sign for Spurs on go straight in as the main man? Keep Palhinha for two seasons and bring the new guy in as it works out.
Not sure we can expect this team to make quantum leaps in anything, it will be a gradual process.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

Not for me. Evolution, not revolution. We've just got used to Palhinha, and him to his team mates. Selling him and bringing in another player means that process again. Also, who is to say that Anderson/Wharton/Hackney aren't benefitting from currently being talked through games by an older team mate - you then want them to sign for Spurs on go straight in as the main man? Keep Palhinha for two seasons and bring the new guy in as it works out.
Not sure we can expect this team to make quantum leaps in anything, it will be a gradual process.

I am ok with us signing him, not against it, just saying if there was better then I get the 100% the rationale of taking that leap on a quality player, if that opportunity came up and leaving sentiment (which I also feel) aside.

We are all talking hypotheticals here, I have no expectations and would happily take him back

 

[Mabspurs]

Yeh, I am with this, CM is a place where we are stacked, and I love Palhi, player of season for me, but I also have to think about, if we can make a quantum leap in quality, shell of some of the pap, he won't be needed.

The only reason we are stacked is because of much of muchness.... Remove Bissouma, Sarr and possibly Bentancur and the stacking is no longer apparent

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

The only reason we are stacked is because of much of muchness.... Remove Bissouma, Sarr and possibly Bentancur and the stacking is no longer apparent

Of course, thats my point TBF, I would get rid of 2 of those as a minimum.

 

[Mabspurs]

Agreed... I personally find some of the "no Paulinha" comments laughable to be honest. We have finished 17th two seasons in a row after the only two worldclass player we had left. Anyone thinking this is a fluke or that we will suddenly become world beaters is grossly deluded. As it stands, the top 8 are probably better organised - if not just better - than us. Above all, we need to be tight at the back & centre and have strong leadership when we play them.... ergo Paulinha!!

 

[parklane1]

I really hope we keep him.

 

[Legohamster]

Not for me. Evolution, not revolution. We've just got used to Palhinha, and him to his team mates. Selling him and bringing in another player means that process again. Also, who is to say that Anderson/Wharton/Hackney aren't benefitting from currently being talked through games by an older team mate - you then want them to sign for Spurs on go straight in as the main man? Keep Palhinha for two seasons and bring the new guy in as it works out.
Not sure we can expect this team to make quantum leaps in anything, it will be a gradual process.

Our midfield was over run a lot last year, I'm Ok with him signing, but that would mean someone like Bents going alongside Sarr and Bissouma and replacing him with someone more dynamic.

The whole middle needs redoing.

Gallagher/Bents/Pal/Sarr is just meh.

 

[demotw]

Our midfield was over run a lot last year, I'm Ok with him signing, but that would mean someone like Bents going alongside Sarr and Bissouma and replacing him with someone more dynamic.

The whole middle needs redoing.

Gallagher/Bents/Pal/Sarr is just meh.

No chance Bents goes anywhere, our stats with him and without him is just crazy.

In the 24 games he played some part of, we conceded 32 goals. In the 14 he didn't play due to injury etc we conceded 31. (1.33 goals against per game vs 2.21). We averaged 1.2 PPG with him in the team, and 0.71 without. People vastly underestimate just how much screening and control this guy gives us when he plays, just because he isn't flashy or providing an array of through balls.

 

[Gutter Boy]

Our midfield was over run a lot last year, I'm Ok with him signing, but that would mean someone like Bents going alongside Sarr and Bissouma and replacing him with someone more dynamic.

The whole middle needs redoing.

Gallagher/Bents/Pal/Sarr is just meh.

I'd start with Gray and Begvall, then add some ballplayers - Scott, Stiller, Wharton etc.

I'd probably keep Bentancur too as a senior old head