Bayern Munich’s need for a new number six was obvious last season. The Bavarians’ lack of structure and security in the centre of the pitch was brutally exposed in several matches as Bayer Leverkusen ran away with the Bundesliga title. More than once, Thomas Tuchel bemoaned his team’s lack of a top class midfield anchor. João Palhinha was meant to be that player.
By Graham Ruthven
The Portuguese midfielder travelled to Germany to complete a transfer from Fulham last summer. A fee was agreed. The medical took place. Pictures of Palhinha in the Bayern Munich kit were even taken. Fulham, however, couldn’t find a replacement before the deadline and the transfer collapsed.
A year on, Palhinha has made the move to Bayern Munich, completing a transfer worth a reported €50m plus add-ons earlier this month. Through no fault of his own, the 29-year-old is already having to make up for lost time. What happened last year was regrettable. Now, though, Palhinha has the opportunity to prove why Bayern were right to return for him.
“It was important that we never lost touch,” said Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl, referencing what happened last summer. “João really wanted to come to Bayern, and we need players like that. He’s an important building block for our future. He will give us greater stability in the centre.”
Palhinha revels in doing the dirty work. Last season overall, he averaged 5.1 tackles per 90 minutes for Fulham, placing him in the top 1% of Premier League midfielders with a success rate of 2.5 tackles per 90. He also averaged 1.5 interceptions per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 10% for that metric, and 1.9 blocks per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 5% in this category. These numbers illustrate the sort of midfielder Palhinha is.
Physically, the Portuguese is an imposing presence in the centre of the pitch. Standing at 6ft 3”, Palhinha’s long stride allows him to cover a lot of ground and win aerial duels. He also boasts excellent football intelligence and general reading of the game. There were few better in the Premier League at disrupting opposition moves than Palhinha. His positional awareness is elite.
At Euro 2024, Palhinha earned a place in Portugal’s midfield unit with his ability to switch play quickly key to getting Rafael Leão into one-on-one situations against opposition defenders. This is something that could help Bayern get the best out of their wide attackers. Palhinha’s biggest strengths can be found against the ball, but he offers something in possession too.
All this highlights why Bayern Munich were so keen to land the Portuguese international. Theoretically, Palhinha should be the perfect safety net for the Bavarians’ counter-pressing style. A lot will be demanded of the 29-year-old to cover for his new attacking teammates higher up the pitch, but he has the skill set to succeed at the Allianz Arena.
After a protracted managerial search that saw Bayern Munich approach several candidates including Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick, Vincent Kompany has been hired to restore the Bavarians as the Bundesliga’s dominant force. The pressure is on after Bayer Leverkusen’s runaway title triumph last season.
Michael Olise’s arrival from Crystal Palace should give Bayern Munich more creativity higher up the pitch with the young French winger a consistent goal threat and assist provider. Olise was strongly linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, so it was something of a coup for Bayern to get the deal done for a reported €60m.
Hiroki Ito has also been signed by Bayern Munich after an impressive 2023/24 campaign for Stuttgart. The Japanese centre back is an exceptional defensive all-rounder who will give the Bavarians another option at the back as doubts continue to linger about Dayot Upamecano whose lapses in concentration were a problem last term.
Palhinha, however, will almost certainly be the most impactful signing made by Bayern Munich this summer. Olise is an exciting addition, but the Bavarians already had attacking difference-makers. Ito will strengthen the defensive ranks, but it’s unclear if he is a true upgrade on Kim Min-Jae, Matthijs de Ligt or Upamecano. Palhinha, on the other hand, offers something different. Something much-needed.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every Bundesliga game live with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.