Tottenham Hotspur's new manager, Thomas Frank, is making waves in the Premier League, and his recent praise for midfielder João Palhinha after their 2-0 victory against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium has fans buzzing. The win, which propelled Spurs to the top of the Premier League, showcased not only Palhinha's talents but also the team's improved defensive capabilities under Frank.
Frank, who previously managed Brentford, has had an impressive start to his Tottenham career, securing a 3-0 victory against Burnley in their season opener and nearly achieving a clean sheet against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup. However, it was the dominant performance against Manchester City that truly highlighted the team's progress and Palhinha's immediate impact.
"And Palhinha, wow," Frank exclaimed, clearly impressed with the Portuguese midfielder's contribution. Palhinha, who recently joined Tottenham on loan from Bayern Munich, scored his first goal for the club in the match against City, solidifying the team's lead. Beyond the goal, Frank emphasized Palhinha's overall performance and the confidence he brings to the team. He also believes that Palhinha is not yet at his peak fitness, which suggests there is even more to come from the midfielder.
Palhinha himself expressed his gratitude towards Frank, citing the manager as a key reason for his move to Tottenham. He said that Frank convinced him to join by showing him the project he has in place at Tottenham. Palhinha also stated his excitement to be back in the Premier League and his happiness to be a part of the club.
Frank has highlighted Palhinha's defensive qualities, his ability to maintain position in the center of the pitch, and his disciplined approach as key assets. He also noted Palhinha's distribution skills, both short passes and diagonal balls, as well as his ability to break up plays, which are particularly important when playing away from home or against strong counter-attacking teams. Furthermore, Frank pointed out Palhinha's effectiveness during set pieces in both boxes as a valuable addition to the team.
Tottenham's improved defensive record under Frank is a significant improvement from last season, where they struggled to keep clean sheets. Frank has been focusing on instilling defensive principles and a winning mentality within the team. The clean sheet against Manchester City, following another in the win against Burnley, demonstrates the team's progress in this area. Frank believes that clean sheets are crucial for winning games and is happy with the team's commitment to the defensive side of the game.
While fans were disappointed by the club's failure to sign Eberechi Eze, Frank has focused on the positives, praising the performances of new signings like Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus. He acknowledged the questions surrounding the transfer market but emphasized that the club has brought in two top players who are already making a significant impact.
The partnership between Frank and Palhinha seems to be a promising one for Tottenham. With Frank's tactical guidance and Palhinha's skills and experience, Tottenham fans have reason to be optimistic about the season ahead. As Frank continues to implement his vision and Palhinha settles into the team, Tottenham could be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.
