Portuguese midfielder João Palhinha is likely to move to FC Bayern Munich. He will play a key role in the European Championship quarter-final against France.
Despite only narrowly missing out on the round of 16, Portugal’s national team is one of the favourites to win the European Championship. The first knockout game of the tournament showed what is particularly important to coach Roberto Martínez: defensive stability. That’s why a man who Martínez had previously only used sparingly played the entire game for the first time – Palhinha.
Portugal coach advises FC Bayern to buy
The Fulham FC number six has long been a household name among German football fans. Last summer, FC Bayern wanted to sign him but failed. After this European Championship, it should work out. Palhinha said a few days ago: “Both clubs know where I want to be next month.”
After reaching the quarter-finals, his national coach once again put in a good word for his protégé. “He’s not just good enough for Bayern, I think he would make Bayern better because he’s a player who makes others better,” was Martínez’s clear recommendation to buy the German record champions.
Martínez: “He was indispensable for us”
Against Slovenia, Palhinha secured the attacking line in Portugal’s talented team and was supposed to protect the defense around the 41-year-old Pepe from quick counterattacks by the opposition. It was repeatedly noticeable how well Palhinha recognizes situations in which it is worth taking quick steps to get into promising duels.
Palhinha had 30 tackles in the round of 16, the third most of any Portuguese player. He also had the best tackle rate of his team at 73 percent. “He was indispensable for us in this type of game, in which Slovenia repeatedly counterattacked with fast players. When it comes to second balls, Joao is exceptional,” said his coach after the game.
One of the strongest defensive midfielders in Europe
Palhinha’s defensive work can be summed up in one word: world class. This was also evident in the past Premier League season. According to statistics from the “FBRef” portal, Palhinha was one of the most active and successful tacklers among all midfielders in the top five European leagues this season.
In the categories “tackling” and “tackling dribblers” the Portuguese had the top values in his position. The number of duels he won is almost the best. Palhinha is better than 99 percent of the players in his position in these categories. His values are absolutely outstanding, especially in the defensive third and in the middle third of the pitch.
Not the first option in the Portuguese build-up game
The game against Slovenia also showed once again what weaknesses the 28-year-old Palhinha has. His passing skills are only solid compared to other midfielders. National coach Martínez knows this, and in Portugal’s build-up play Palhinha is clearly relieved of this responsibility. He is not the first option, nor the second or third.
His midfield colleagues Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha, as well as full-backs João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes, are primarily responsible for building up the Portuguese team’s play.
“I enjoy conquering balls”
Palhinha himself spoke about the distribution of roles in the national team at a press conference before the round of 16. “All players have their role. If we look at our squad, we have many different types of players,” he said.
He described his playing style as follows: “I enjoy winning balls and doing defensive work. I think that’s an important task.” He is convinced that the fans appreciate him precisely for this passion.
Coach Martínez certainly does. And for his character too. He hasn’t even talked about the person yet, said Martínez at the end of his praise late on Monday evening, although he is “even better” than the footballer.
Possible key player against France
Palhinha’s importance for the Portuguese game has grown since the start of the tournament. He did not play in the first group match, but played the full game in the round of 16. He will likely play a key role again in the quarter-finals.
The match against France could be decided in the midfield, Palhinha’s territory. The French’s last opponent, Belgium, failed in the round of 16 because they lost the midfield for long stretches of the match. France repeatedly created a numerical advantage there and thus controlled the match.
Palhinha meets mirror image Kanté
With his style of play, Palhinha can become a disruptive factor for the patient passing game of the French. But he also comes up against one of the few players who is his equal in his specialties: N’Golo Kanté.
The French long-distance runner is also notable for his exceptionally high number of interceptions and his good tackle statistics. This could be a duel between perhaps the best ball-winners in this tournament.
