Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi is not known for being a man who likes to keep quiet or avoid controversy and speaking his mind. But Spurs probably hired him for his personality and boldness, wanting to go back to a swashbuckler like Ange Postecoglou than rather a more conservative - and almost cowardly - figure like Thomas Frank.
De Zerbi already has Tottenham closer to survival in the Premier League, and he is getting the most out of players Spurs had written for dead like center midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Conor Gallagher, who are now spurring the comeback charge.
But Gallagher and Bentancur are not the only veteran midfielders De Zerbi appears to be high on. Even though defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha has not been a nailed on starter for the Italian manager, RDZ sounds convinced that the Portuguese international is someone he wants around Spurs for longer than the 2025/26 season when his loan deal with Bayern Munich wraps up.
Roberto De Zerbi is sold on Joao Palhinha
De Zerbi told reporters at the press conference before Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leeds United on Monday Night Football that he "100 percent" wants Palhinha to be back in a Lilywhite kit next season.
The Italian manager said, via Chris Cowlin, "One hundred per cent. We have to start from these types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. I want to see the players with the same passion, spirit, personality and we are lucky to have Palhinha with us."
Although the 30 year old Palhinha only came off the bench in De Zerbi's first three matches in charge against Sunderland, Brighton, and Wolves, he got the full 90 in the win over Aston Villa. And Palhinha has been pretty good in these two wins against Wolves and Villa, scoring the decisive goal against Wolves while playing good defense and even passing at a high level in both matches.
With Xavi Simons down for the count and James Maddison still working his way back from an ACL tear of his own, Joao Palhinha is going to become even more important to De Zerbi, and it sounds like the manager trusts his No. 6 100 percent.
Spurs have been going back and forth all season long on Palhinha, who started the season hot, cooled off, and now may be reviving himself with solid defense, big goals, and potentially even passable work on the ball under his new manager. De Zerbi is making bold claims and does have some say over personnel, so this is a situation to watch with Bayern.