The Portuguese midfielder played a huge role in keeping Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League but is waiting to find out if he will join permanently
Joao Palhinha wants to be a Tottenham player next season and believes that this dreadful campaign will make the club stronger.
The Portuguese was there in plenty of big moments for Spurs with seven goals and three assists despite his defensive midfield role. His two huge goals at the business end of the season - the late winner at Molineux against Wolves last month and Sunday's final day strike in the 1-0 victory against Everton - kept the north London club in the Premier League.
Palhinha, who turns 31 next month, is on loan from Bayern Munich and Tottenham have an option to bring him in permanently this summer for £25.8million (30million euros). Head coach Roberto De Zerbi wants the club to sign the experienced midfielder but that previously agreed price tag might need some re-negotiating for a player in his thirties.
Palhinha has made it clear that he wants to be wearing a Spurs shirt again next season.
"I always shared my thoughts. Since the first day I arrived I feel at home. From the supporters, the crowd. Top club. Who doesn’t want to play for Tottenham and stay here? I have everything here," he said. "But this is like a marriage. What I can say to you is I would really like to be here and I enjoy it a lot this season with this club even being a tough season."
The Portuguese was delighted to be able to help Tottenham remain in the Premier League with his goal on Sunday. His header just before half-time from Mathys Tel's corner hit the right-hand post and bounced back to the former Fulham man to knock the ball over the line despite Everton's best efforts to stop it.
"Really happy, a really important day for the club, for everyone, for all the supporters," he said. "We are really happy with the way we finished this day today because it was the main objective to keep Tottenham in the Premier League."
The main positive in recent weeks has been the arrival of De Zerbi with the Italian grabbing the club by the scruff of the neck with 11 points from seven matches, a points-per-game average that would have put Spurs in the top six across the season. Palhinha is expecting a far better new campaign under the 46-year-old.
"I think the next season will hopefully be really different and I truly believe that. I think this season will help Tottenham for the future," he explained. "Analyse the season and what we did wrong, what we did well and I think it’s a big improvement and a big relief after the season. Let’s see now."