Tottenham have been handed a major boost in their desperate fight for Premier League survival, with Joao Palhinha reportedly ready to stick around even if the unthinkable happens and Spurs drop into the Championship.
The north Londoners are locked in a proper dogfight with neighbours West Ham. Relegation battle with a spice of local hatred. Lovely stuff.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side did their bit on Sunday, grinding out a 2-1 win at Aston Villa against a heavily rotated Unai Emery XI. That result, combined with West Ham’s 3-0 drubbing at Brentford 24 hours earlier, lifted Spurs out of the bottom three.
They now sit on 37 points. The Irons are a point back in 18th. Three games left. Nail biting territory.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds United looked dead in the water a few weeks ago. But fine runs from both, they’re now on 42 and 43 points respectively means they’re basically safe. Which leaves two London clubs sweating.
Spurs host Leeds on Monday night. West Ham welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium on Sunday. Not just any Arsenal, mind. The same Arsenal who just made the Champions League final and are still chasing the title. Timing, eh?
Enter Joao Palhinha.
The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a season long loan from Bayern Munich last summer, with an option to buy. Expectations was high. He’d been a monster at Fulham. But Bayern? Barely played.
Started brightly at Spurs. Then his form fell off a cliff. Archie Gray and others was getting picked ahead of him. Classic.
But under De Zerbi, he’s clawed his way back. A crucial winning goal against Wolves. Then a full blooded display at Villa Park celebrating tackles like they was goals. The fans love it.
Now, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, Palhinha wants to stay. Permanently. Even if Tottenham go down.
“In the first few months, Tottenham were adamant they was going to trigger the option to buy,” Jacobs said. “Then it tapered off, and it was trending towards not signing him permanently.
“Now under De Zerbi the mood has shifted again. If it’s up to the player, he wants to stay even if Tottenham go down. Palhinha’s move to Spurs was about returning to England. About being in London. There’s family reasons too.”
That’s huge for Spurs. A player who won’t jump ship the second the ship starts sinking.
Whether the club triggers that buy option remains to be seen. But knowing the player is willing regardless of what division they’re in, gives De Zerbi and the board something to think about.
For now, though? Survival first. Leeds next. No room for error.
