Tottenham have their new midfield enforcer in Joao Palhinha, and Thomas Frank is thrilled to have the Portuguese international on board.
Holding midfield (No. 6) was regarded as a priority position of need entering the summer, and many supporters have clamoured for the addition of a passer/destroyer profile. You know, because they're so easily attainable.
Much has been made of Palhinha's limitations as a passer, but his talents as a defender cannot be denied. His two-year spell at Fulham manifested the 30-year-old's outstanding tackling ability, and very few would've scoffed at his arrival last summer.
A down year at Bayern Munich has undoubtedly seen his stock take a hit, with Vincent Kompany seemingly giving up on the Portuguese midfielder. However, if Spurs are able to get the Palhinha which manifested so effectively in west London, then Frank has, without doubt, stumbled upon a lynchpin in his engine room.
Thomas Frank explains why Tottenham signed Joao Palhinha
Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur primarily functioned as Ange Postecoglou's deepest-lying midfielder during his two-year reign, but both players particularly struggled for consistency last season.
Bissouma, while majestic on his day, is far too up-and-down, while Bentancur has always been better suited to playing in a midfield two, going back to his Juventus days.
There is a clear need for a player of Palhinha's profile, especially given the youth with our midfield ranks. After his loan arrival was confirmed on Sunday, Frank echoed that sentiment.
"It was always his abilities, and if you look at the squad, I donât think we have his ability or package as a clear number six with his profile," the Dane said, explaining to Football London why he wanted to bring the 30-year-old in.
Frank then waxed lyrical about Palhinha's capacity to "break up play", and also made note of his "distribution" and positional discipline. "Especially if you are playing away from home or against good counter-attacking teams, itâs very important to have one that, you know, is not running away or gets attracted to something," the boss added, which probably isn't a dig at Bentancur or Bissouma, but would be an apt one.
This isn't a signing which evokes glamour, but one that could prove to be extremely effective. Frank's excitement over Palhinha's additionâand surprise he was available for transferâjust goes to show how desperate we are for an enforcer of his ilk, and I expect the 30-year-old to make an immediate impact.
Who emerges as his partner in crime is set to be a hotly contested competition, with Lucas Bergvall making his case during the second half of last season, and Pape Matar Sarr the star of the summer so far. Both will benefit from the stability Palhinha supplies.