Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 28/06/23...

[WhiteJC]

Barcelona Identify This Fulham Midfielder As A Target: What Will He Bring To The Nou Camp?

In a recent report, The Daily Mail claimed that Barcelona have identified Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as a target. It has been mentioned that the Catalan club are eyeing a move to secure the services of the Portuguese midfield ace this summer.

Palhinha's Decent Form In The Premier League Last Season
Palhinha enjoyed an impressive campaign at Craven Cottage as he put in a run of impressive performances for the Cottagers at the centre of the park. The 27-year-old found the back of the net on four occasions in 40 matches for Fulham last season across all competitions.

The Portuguese sensation has proven himself to be a reliable performer at the heart of Marco Silva's midfield based on his average of 4.2 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.7 clearances per game in the Premier League. He has also been accurate when distributing the ball after completing 83% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Spanish football (stats via whoscored).

His current contract at the London club is set to run out in the summer of 2027. Therefore, it won't be easy for Barca to recruit him on the cheap later this year.

What Will Palhinha Bring To Barcelona?
Palhinha is a solid tackler of the ball and can make a few timely interceptions for his team in the middle of the park. He doesn't mind clearing his lines when in danger of being caught out at the back and can strike the ball with power from long range.

The Portuguese sensation hardly gives away the ball cheaply and can even contribute by scoring the odd goal. He mainly functions as a holding midfielder but can also operate as a central midfielder if told to do so by his manager.

We can expect Palhinha to bring more bite and steel to Barcelona boss Xavi's midfield. He would even serve as a good replacement for Sergio Busquets at the Catalan club.

At 27, Palhinha is about to enter his prime which makes him an excellent choice for Barca to pursue during this summer transfer period. However, he might take some time to settle into life at the Nou Camp if Xavi can successfully devise a way to snap him up ahead of the new campaign.



https://the4thofficial.net/2023/06/barcelona-identify-this-fulham-midfielder-as-a-target/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 'confident' of keeping Palhinha
Fulham remain confident of retaining Joao Palhinha despite frenzied interested in the Portuguese midfielder's services, according to various reports this evening.

The Evening Standard expresses the Cottagers' firm belief that they will be able to hold onto the former Sporting midfielder in spite of frenzied speculation that suggests several suitors are keen on signing the 28 year-old this summer. Palhinha led the Premier League in tackling in his first season in England, which saw him score four goals in forty appearances, as Marco Silva's side finished tenth on their return to the top flight.

Palhinha has four years remaining on his Craven Cottage contract – with Fulham holding an option to extend that deal by a further twelve months. He is happy in London and pleased to be reunited with Silva, who nurtured his talent during the 45 year-old's spell in charge of Sporting. West Ham have been regularly linked with a bid for Palhinha over the course of the close season – but Fulham do not need to sell any of their key players this summer and are understood to have made it clear that their player of the season is not for sale.

Silva, who rejected an approach from Saudi side Al-Hilal earlier this week, is preparing for a full campaign in charge of the Whites despite not yet putting pen to paper on the contract extension that Fulham have offered him after two outstanding seasons since succeeding Scott Parker in SW6.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/06/fulham-confident-of-keeping-palhinha/