Oh its gone from certainty to...hmm. Maybe just the season thanks.
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Player João Palhinha
- Thread starter The Fighting Cock
- Start date
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I don't think we'll buy him.
As others have said he excels at one thing. He'll be useful to start some away games, and certainly closing a game out from a winning position.
But starting at home to games we're expected to win he shouldn't be anywhere near starting.
For all Bentancur's faults his passing is better than Palhinha'a as his reading of the game when we're in possession.
As others have said he excels at one thing. He'll be useful to start some away games, and certainly closing a game out from a winning position.
But starting at home to games we're expected to win he shouldn't be anywhere near starting.
For all Bentancur's faults his passing is better than Palhinha'a as his reading of the game when we're in possession.
Palhinha doesn’t simply ‘excel’ at one thing. He’s elite — arguably the best at that one thing in the Premier League. I certainly considered that he was at 27 /28 when he played for Fulham. He was good enough to go to one of the three best sides in Europe and play for the Nations Cup winners.
The issue isn’t Palhinha but who he’s paired with in midfield. I don’t think anyone is suggesting that he starts every game and runs the midfield but I’d rather have him than a totally mediocre 6-8 hybrid like Betancur. Given that Manuel Ugarte cost £42 million plus a chunk in add-ons then someone is going to be happy to pay £25m to use him under the right circumstances. Let’s see how he pans out over the course of the next half of the season before deciding that he’s a write-off.
The issue isn’t Palhinha but who he’s paired with in midfield. I don’t think anyone is suggesting that he starts every game and runs the midfield but I’d rather have him than a totally mediocre 6-8 hybrid like Betancur. Given that Manuel Ugarte cost £42 million plus a chunk in add-ons then someone is going to be happy to pay £25m to use him under the right circumstances. Let’s see how he pans out over the course of the next half of the season before deciding that he’s a write-off.
We'll buy him because it will be an easy deal to do and we're lazy
See Tel for reference
I like Paulinha he has a decent skill set but I don't think he is the right fit with most of our other midfielders
Behave. He's total garbage and isn't elite at anything. Doesn't cover well, can't pass, doesnt find space, doesn’t close down quick enough, lacks pace, no good in the air and the one thing you reckon he's elite at hasn't really materialisd. There are a dozen Palhinha's playing in the National League you can get on a free.
He is elite at tackling. Literally the best statistically at in the league. But that’s it. And it’s a really limited in use asset for a top 6 team.
Ange wouldn’t have played him probably;but he would have been much more useful in a setup where Maddison and Kulusevski were playing as attacking minded CMs and fullbacks were also bombing forward, making him the sole provider of cover for a 2 man kamikaze high line defense of Romero and VDV.
Water carriers like him are an overkill in teams that already struggle going forward and/or keeping possession.
Water carriers like him are an overkill in teams that already struggle going forward and/or keeping possession.
Yeah, I can accept your opinion of him as a National League journeyman or that of Marco Silva, Tom Cairney or Roberto Martinez amongst others as well as Fulham, Tottenham and Bayern’s scouts who generally aren’t inclined to sign National League standard players. I can also ignore all the statistics that suggest he’s elite at what he’s (primarily) in the team for because I’m sure that they’re all wrong and you’re right.
I think that the age/ wage thing presents a valid argument. I worry about decline for a guy with his profile — Casemiro vibes.
Given we re-signed Bentancur I think, long term, the town ain't big enough for the both of them. Far better to spend the money and squad spot on the profile we're absolutely crying out for - a more technical, passing midfielder.
Middle ground would be another loan (like we did with Werner) but not sure that really suits either party given how many bodies we have in midfield and him naturally wanting consistent minutes.
Middle ground would be another loan (like we did with Werner) but not sure that really suits either party given how many bodies we have in midfield and him naturally wanting consistent minutes.
The issue is the two midfielders he plays with. He's role is to brake up the play and let the other two alongside him create.
You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.
It's called the eye test?
Tell me, do you want to sign him at the end of this season for 25m?
Nah, didn't think so...
Tell me, do you want to sign him at the end of this season for 25m?
Nah, didn't think so
25m is honestly pretty cheap for a quality CM. It’s also handy that he can play CB if needed. The only thing bad about him so far for me is how often Frank played him with Bentancur- a player he is much too similar to, to be played with.
Yea that has been really poor from Frank.
Palhinha is a destroyer so needs to be paired with a ball player like Gray or Bergvall, having Bentancur next to him fucks the teams ball progression. Off the ball Palhinha is like 2 men, on the ball like 0 men. You play Palhinha you play someone to complement.
I think you either need one or the other, pointless having both in the squad.
100% we should buy him.
He is an asset and a great option, but not the right choice for every game.
He has been one of our best three players this season.
He is an asset and a great option, but not the right choice for every game.
He has been one of our best three players this season.