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Thomas Frank has hinted at a new leadership role for Tottenham veteran Ben Davies this season, following the departure of club captain Heung-min Son.

Heung-min Son is set to depart Tottenham this summer following his announcement in South Korea during Spurs’ pre-season tour.

Son’s impending exit will make Ben Davies the oldest player in the Tottenham squad, significantly reducing the level of experience available for the younger players to learn from on and off the pitch.

The Welshman may now be called upon to provide a stronger voice in the dressing room, especially with the club also losing their captain of the last two seasons.

Thomas Frank backs Ben Davies for leadership role at Tottenham

Thomas Frank appears to have his eyes on Ben Davies to take up a bigger responsibility in the upcoming campaign, especially as Tottenham transitions into a new era without Heung-min Son.

Speaking to football.london, Frank praised the 32-year-old for his temperament, his presence around the squad and the way he carries himself as a senior player.

“I think his leadership qualities, his character and the way he understands the bigger picture. Everyone has got an ego, but his ego is not too big and that is good. So you understand how much you need to help the team and the younger players.

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“He understands when it is for the better for the club, you know, all the actions. So, as a player that can speak up and push a bit inside [the team] and they like him, he is a good guy. It makes sense what he says, and he does it in a good way. That is just respect, respect, respect for all players.

“Some win respect by being the top player and Ben is still, by the way, a very good player. So when you do the other things [as well], if you think you win more respect.”

Although Davies has never formally been part of Tottenham’s leadership group across his 11 years at the club, Frank admitted, “It is definitely something I am thinking about, yeah, I will say it that way.”

Rodrigo Bentancur to stay as Tottenham’s captain decision looms

Beyond Ben Davies’ evolving role, Thomas Frank also confirmed that Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to remain at the club this season, despite entering the final year of his current deal.

Tottenham have since been looking to extend Bentancur’s contract, with preliminary talks said to have begun, but reports on that front have since gone cold.

“I was pretty sure he would be a key player [before I started working with him], so that has not been a surprise. That is a player, of course I think is important for the future,” he said.

Joao Palhinha is a professional football player who plays as a holding midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur.

Joao Palhinha is a traditional number six who has earned a reputation as a midfielder with an eye for a tackle, often mopping up and shielding the back four.

Now 30 years old, the Portuguese joined Tottenham ahead of the 2025–26 season as Thomas Frank’s fourth signing of the summer window, coming right after deals for Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus and Kota Takai.

A player who has established himself in Europe, with stints in Portugal, Germany and England, here is a closer look into the life and career of Tottenham’s midfield loan signing – Joao Palhinha.

Who is Joao Palhinha? Tottenham’s new midfield anchor

Joao Maria Lobo Alves Palhares Costa Palhinha Goncalves was born on 9 July 1995 in Lisbon, Portugal. Now 30 years old, he stands at 1.90 metres (6 ft 3 in) tall – an imposing physical presence that fits the profile of a combative holding midfielder.

Palhinha came through the Sporting CP youth academy after joining in 2012 at the age of 17. He got his first taste of senior football with the club’s B team, eventually opening his account with a powerful header in a 3–1 win over Leixoes in April 2015. His rise through the ranks was steady, though not without obstacles.

Loan spells followed at Moreirense and Belenenses, where he scored his first Primeira Liga goal in a draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes. A return to Sporting in 2017 saw him debut competitively for the first team, later bagging a brace in the Portuguese Cup.

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His career then took a defining step when he joined Braga on loan, going on to feature 76 times and playing a crucial role in their 2019–20 Taca da Liga triumph, including a historic winner over Benfica.

Spurs midfielder Joao Palhinha – the journey to North London

He quickly nailed down a starting role, bossing the midfield with grit and precision. A controversial suspension ahead of the Lisbon derby sparked a legal saga, but he ended the season as the league’s top tackler with 185 tackles, played a key part in Sporting’s title win, and was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year alongside five of his teammates.

Fulham impact and Premier League dominance

Palhinha’s emergence as one of Europe’s finest ball-winners continued into 2021–22, although competition from Manuel Ugarte and repeated injury setbacks slowed him down. Still, he remained a core figure, leaving Sporting with a league title, two League Cups and a Super Cup to his name.

A £20 million switch to Fulham in 2022 saw him earn make his Premier League debut against Liverpool in a 2-2 draw. The Portuguese man later went on to score his first goal 14 days after joining the Cottagers in a clash against Brentford.

In his debut season, he led the league in tackles and was voted Player of the Season for Fulham. He was then linked with a late move to Bayern Munich, which fell through in 2023 because Fulham could not find a replacement for the holding midfielder.

Regardless, Palhinha remained professional, signed a new contract, and topped the tackling charts again in the Premier League.

Joao Palhinha joins Tottenham Hotspur

A year after the failed switch, Palhinha eventually made the move to Bayern Munich in 2024 for €56 million (£47.4 million).

He won the Bundesliga in his first season, although injuries and competition from Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic limited his minutes, with the Portuguese managing just 667 minutes in the Bundesliga.

He arrived at Tottenham on loan with an option to buy for €30 million. He becomes the latest 30+-year-old to join the club, since Ivan Perisic joined on a free transfer in 2022.

Playing style and what Spurs fans can expect

With the 30-year-old now in north London, Tottenham Hotspur fans can expect a proper number six who has an eye for a tackle and is ready to do the dirty work.

Palhinha is known for his positioning, stamina and hard-hitting tackles. Standing tall and strong, he thrives in duels – both on the ground and in the air – and plays a key role in breaking up play before launching forward balls into space. His vocal leadership and physicality make him a commanding figure in the middle of the park.

During his spell at Fulham, he averaged 81.5% pass accuracy and regularly topped the charts for tackles and duels won. His aggressive tackling style earned him a reputation, but also saw him booked frequently – he was one of only three players to receive 13 or more yellow cards in two separate Premier League seasons.

Personal life – family, relationships and off-field profile

Off the pitch, Palhinha was previously married to singer Patricia Palhares, with whom he shares a son, Joao Maria. The pair separated in 2024, while expecting their second child.

Joao Palhinha’s international career

On the international stage, Palhinha has represented Portugal at the under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels, notably featuring in the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where his side finished runners-up.

He earned his senior debut in March 2021 during the World Cup qualifiers, scoring his first goal shortly after. Palhinha has since played in major tournaments – including Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 – making multiple appearances in each.

In 2025, he was part of the Portugal squad that won the UEFA Nations League, playing in the semi-final win over hosts Germany.

Spurs new midfielder Joao Palhinha – stats, honours and role

Joao Palhinha has carved out an impressive CV. Across his career up to the end of the 2024/25 season, he has featured in:

Club appearances and goals:

Palhinha’s honours include:

Thomas Frank appears relaxed about Tottenham’s current full-back options despite visible pre-season gaps coming to the fray.

Pre-season often allows teams to assess their strengths and weaknesses well before the start of a new campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur under Thomas Frank have had such an opportunity, with pre-season preparations already outlining a few positions that need strengthening.

Injuries have already hit the attacking midfield position, while Destiny Udogie’s injury has also exposed a problem in the full-back position.

Thomas Frank insists Tottenham do not need full-back reinforcements

However, while fans of the Lilywhites have been quick to call on the club to strengthen their depth in the full-back position, naming their preferred signing, Frank seems to believe that Tottenham are very much covered in that area.

Thomas Frank, speaking to football.london, has now revealed that Tottenham are not looking to add any more full-backs to their ranks, suggesting that the club already have sufficient cover in those wide defensive areas.

“Yeah, I think so [we have enough full-backs] because right now we have Ben and Spence. I thought [Djed] was very good against Arsenal and did very well against Saka, and I think Ben is a very important player,” Frank told football.london.

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Davies and Spence remain unconvincing options for Spurs

While Ben Davies is capable of filling in at left-back, there is a question mark over whether he has the quality to be a back-up option for Tottenham at this level.

So far in pre-season, the veteran defender has looked off the pace, often struggling to keep up with the speed of the game, which does little to inspire confidence at the back.

Tottenham Hotspur return to Europe for their final pre-season clash before their official season gets underway, as they take on Bayern Munich in the 2025 Telekom Cup.

So, here we are again, another Bayern Munich vs Tottenham friendly. Not sure why Spurs signed up to face them again after losing twice last year, but these fixtures are always a treat for the fans. There’s something to be said about testing yourself against Europe’s elite, even if it is just pre-season.

Thomas Frank’s men remain unbeaten in their pre-season campaign so far, and they’ll be eager to keep that run going. But facing the Bavarian giants on their turf is no easy task, even when it’s a friendly.

Spurs’ Asian tour was a real rollercoaster: from beating Arsenal for the first time in three years, to drawing 1-1 against Newcastle in an emotional farewell to club legend Heung-Min Son and losing James Maddison to injury.

Bayern, meanwhile, began their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win over Lyon after their exit to PSG in the Club World Cup quarter-finals.

What time does Bayern Munich vs Tottenham kick off?

Location: Munich, Germany

Stadium: Allianz Arena

Date: Thursday, 7th August 2025

Kick-off Time: 5 pm BST

Where to watch the friendly between Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur

Supporters can watch the match live on SPURSPLAY and FC Bayern TV PLUS, though availability may vary depending on your region.

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Bayern Munich vs Tottenham Hotspur: Head-to-head record

Tottenham faced Bayern twice just last year and lost both. The first came in Seoul, a 2-1 defeat, followed by a 3-2 loss in North London that saw Harry Kane return to N17 in red for the first time.

Beyond that, Spurs fans probably don’t need reminding of some brutal Champions League nights against the German side. Let’s just say ‘best not spoken about’.

Tottenham team news

Spurs will be without Heung-Min Son, who has reportedly completed a move to MLS side LAFC (still no official confirmation from the clubs) and did not travel with the squad from South Korea.

On the bright side, there’s a fresh face in midfield; Joao Palhinha, signed on loan from Bayern earlier this week, is set to debut against his former team.

Injuries remain a concern. James Maddison picked an off-the-ball injury immediately after being subbed on against Newcastle, and although the club haven’t confirmed a timeline, it doesn’t look good. Also ruled out are Bryan Gil, Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie, Manor Solomon, and Radu Dragusin.

Dominic Solanke hasn’t played since the win over Reading, but Thomas Frank said he was close before the Newcastle match. There’s a chance he gets a few minutes here.

Bayern Munich team news

New signing Luis Diaz is already off the mark in red, having featured in the win over Lyon. Expect him to start alongside Kane and Olise up front.

Out injured for Bayern are Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, Hiroki Ito and Aleksandar Pavlovic.

Predicted Tottenham line-up

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Davies; Bentancur, Bergvall, Sarr; Kudus, Richarlison, Odobert

For the second half, we expect Van de Ven, Djed Spence, new signing Palhinha, Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson to come on.

Our prediction

It’s hard to see Tottenham winning this, considering the ridiculous amount of quality FC Bayern have across the pitch. However, that win over Arsenal flipped the narrative that Spurs can’t go toe-to-toe with top clubs.

Keep an eye on Joao Palhinha, the number 6 Spurs have been crying out for. It’s his debut, and fittingly, it comes against the club that let him go.

Speaking of former clubs, watch out for the man who knows Spurs too well, Harry Kane. Hurts to say this, but in red. Both the clubs’ fans will hope he plays more than the 15 minutes he managed last time.

Thomas Frank will want his side to push hard and get a look at the full strength of this Tottenham team before the UEFA Super Cup clash scheduled exactly a week after this fixture, whereas Vincent Kompany’s side will likely be a bit more relaxed. So, we expect Spurs to see out this game with a win.

Predicted score: Tottenham 3-2 Bayern Munich

COYS!

Tottenham have been busy in the transfer market this summer, but James Maddison’s latest injury may now force their hand as the need for an attacking midfielder becomes increasingly urgent.

Tottenham Hotspur have made five additions to their squad this summer, with Joao Palhinha the latest to join Kevin Danso, Kota Takai, Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, all of whom have arrived on permanent deals.

On the surface, five signings seem like a solid bit of business, and for the most part, it is. However, Tottenham still look light in certain areas of the pitch, particularly across the midfield line.

One problem position is the number ten role. With James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski currently sidelined, the squad lacks a natural creator in that part of the pitch, and the knock-on effects have already been evident in pre-season.

Tottenham set to move for new attacking midfielder after James Maddison setback

TBR Football have now reported that Tottenham Hotspur are intent on adding a new number ten to the squad before the summer transfer window shuts.

It is believed that James Maddison’s latest setback has only reaffirmed the club’s stance that another attacking midfielder is a necessity this window.

A few weeks ago, Tottenham looked to address their number ten problem when they submitted a bid for Morgan Gibbs-White.

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However, the Gibbs-White opted to renew his contract at Nottingham Forest, handing Spurs a major blow in their pursuit of a creative midfielder.

Maddison had only just returned from a knee injury sustained in May and, after barely 30 minutes of action in pre-season, appears to have suffered a recurrence of the issue. His fitness concerns have left Tottenham short of options in the creative midfield department, one that they must now address.

Spurs need midfield reinforcements despite internal experiments

So far, Thomas Frank has experimented with several players in the number ten role, including Pape Matar Sarr, who bagged a brace in that position against Wycombe, and Lucas Bergvall, who has also been trialled there during training sessions.

While those makeshift options may serve as temporary cover in the short term, it would be risky for Tottenham to head into the 2025/26 season relying on such solutions without bringing in a proven creator.

Micah Richards and Gary Lineker have both reacted to Tottenham’s signing of Joao Palhinha, with the pundits explaining why they think it is a great deal for the Lilywhites.

Palhinha has joined Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy for €30m (£26m), with the 30-year-old set to shore up Thomas Frank’s midfield.

The Portuguese international’s arrival means that the Lilywhites have finally managed to plug a position which was widely identified as a weakness in their squad.

As Spurs Web previously relayed, Tottenham expect Palhinha to be a regular in their starting eleven despite signing the 30-year-old on loan.

Michal Richards and Gary Lineker impressed with Tottenham’s Joao Palhinha signing

The hard-tackling midfielder is, of course, no stranger to Premier League fans, with Palhinha outperforming everyone in ball recoveries during his two years in Fulham.

Tottenham are getting the player just a year after Bayern paid £47m to sign him from Craven Cottage, and both Lineker and Richards are extremely impressed with the deal.

Blow is a transcript of the conversation they had about Tottenham’s summer business on The Rest Is Football podcast:

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Lineker: “Interesting start to the season in terms of who they’ve bought and even in their pre-season friendlies, Spurs. Just hearing that Palhinha’s loan move has been confirmed.”

Richards: “What a signing.”

Lineker: “Really solid Premier League player, really good. So an impressive start, I think, for Thomas Frank. Beat Arsenal, of course, I know these pre-season friendlies mean absolutely nothing, but it’s still good for your confidence.

“Kudus has come, Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel as well — he was on loan last season, of course, they’ve taken that option to buy. So, you know, good business for Thomas Frank.”

Why the Palhinha deal is a huge coup for Spurs

The fact that Spurs signed the 30-year-old on an initial loan deal means that there is very little risk involved.

According to reports, Tottenham opted for a loan deal for Palhinha to have more flexibility to spend funds elsewhere.

Tottenham have approached Manchester City over a potential move for Jack Grealish, with the club looking to find a worthy replacement for Heung-min Son, who is now close to sealing an exit.

Heung-min Son has played his final game in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt after joining a decade ago, following his announcement that he would be leaving the club this summer.

Son is in talks with MLS side LA FC over a potential switch to the United States, where he could reunite with former club captain Hugo Lloris.

A deal is progressing fast, and a move is said to be edging closer for the Tottenham talisman. Should he leave, Tottenham would be eager to fill the void the winger is set to leave.

Fabrizio Romano is now reporting that Tottenham have made contact with Manchester City over a potential move for Jack Grealish, as the club looks to weigh up a deal.

The contact is understood to have been made in recent days, with Spurs keen to understand the situation surrounding the winger, who has seen his minutes dwindle at the Etihad Stadium.

However, Romano makes it clear that there are no current advanced negotiations between Spurs and Man City.

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Tottenham have long admired Grealish, even before his big-money switch to the former Premier League champions, and with the club currently assessing several wide options, the Manchester City man has emerged once again as a name of interest.

Spurs eye experienced winger amid youth-focused transfer shift

Grealish is in his 30s, which could be a concern for the Lilywhites if they are to sign a player of his age as a potential replacement for Son, who is 33.

That goes against their usual transfer strategy, although there has been a shift in focus with more experienced players joining the Lilywhites this summer.

Tottenham have also been linked with younger wingers like Rodrygo in the past few days, with some outlets even claiming that a bid has been made for the Real Madrid wide forward.

Grealish, on the other hand, could very much be available on a loan deal, and it would be more likely that Tottenham are enquiring for that, as it is unlikely they replace Son with a player they could be offloading in three years.

Tottenham Hotspur have taken a big step in their rumoured pursuit of Jack Grealish after James Maddison suffered a serious injury.

Maddison was in tears when he was stretchered off in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle in South Korea, and the early diagnosis is not encouraging for the attacking midfielder.

Thomas Frank admitted that Maddison’s injury looks bad, confirming that he has injured the same knee that kept him out for the latter part of last season.

It has been reported over recent days that Tottenham are expected to push forward their plans to sign an attacking midfielder after Maddison’s injury, and it looks like the Lilywhites are not wasting any time in securing a replacement.

According to Sports Mole, Tottenham have submitted ‘an immediate enquiry’ about Grealish after Maddison’s latest setback.

The report says that the Lilywhites have made contact over a move for the Man City star, who is not in Pep Guardiola’s plans at the Etihad Stadium.

It is revealed that Napoli were previously the front-runners to land Grealish this summer, but that is no longer the case.

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Tottenham Hotspur have now leapfrogged Antonio Conte’s men to the front of the queue to land the England international.

Man City are open to loaning out Jack Grealish

Sports Mole say that Man City are open to both loan and permanent bids for the former Aston Villa man this summer.

The report claims that Pep Guardiola’s men will listen to any ‘reasonable offer’ for Grealish, but the outlet does not say how much they value the 29-year-old at.

The publication adds that it is unclear at the moment if Tottenham are pursuing a loan or a permanent move for the City star.

Tottenham Hotspur have been flooded with interest for Luka Vuskovic, and Thomas Frank is reportedly open to letting him leave temporarily.

Tottenham Hotspur have been securing loan deals for a few of their youngsters ahead of the new season in a bid for them to continue their development.

Mikey Moore has been loaned out to Rangers, while Ashley Phillips has returned to Stoke City ahead of the new campaign.

Tyrese Hall only just managed to get his first-ever loan move this season; meanwhile, Will Lankshear has also been given another opportunity to showcase his talent out on loan.

Tottenham receive multiple loan bids for Luka Vuskovic

Still, Tottenham are reported to be open to letting several other youngsters out on loan, including Luka Vuskovic. TBR Football are now reporting that Tottenham Hotspur have received several loan offers for Luka Vuskovic ahead of next season.

The 18-year-old centre-back has impressed so far in pre-season, grabbing a goal and an assist in his debut match against Reading.

It is understood that clubs from across Europe, including Germany, France, Italy, Holland and Spain, have all made contact with Tottenham about signing Vuskovic temporarily.

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Tottenham now have the luxury of picking their preferred destination for the youngster, who they would be desperate to get more minutes this season.

Alasdair Gold reports that some clubs have asked about including an option-to-buy in the loan, but Tottenham have informed all interested parties that such a clause will not be entertained.

Spurs squad depth could be tested by Vuskovic departure

Tottenham’s centre-back cover, which was once stacked earlier this summer, now looks to be losing its depth.

Should Vuskovic leave on loan, Tottenham would have Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso as centre-back options, with Ben Davies also capable of doing a job there.

However, it has been reported that Tottenham are still actively looking to sign another centre-back this summer, as they fear the injury record of Van de Ven and Romero, who tend to miss extended periods of a season because of injury setbacks.

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on a 16-year-old forward and are considering a creative deal, but they face competition from their Premier League rivals for the player.

Tottenham’s transfer strategy has changed this summer, with the club signing players with Premier League experience, as evidenced by the arrivals of Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha.

Spurs’ failed move for Morgan Gibbs-White is further proof that the Lilywhites are looking for players who are proven in the English top-flight.

However, that does not mean that Tottenham have abandoned their approach of signing talented young starlets, with Mathys Tel and Kota Takai also coming through the door this summer.

Tottenham want to sign Kevin Filling and send him on loan

The strategy of signing young gems has worked well for the Lilywhites, with the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Pape Sarr proving smart additions.

According to a report in Expressen (as relayed by Fotboll Transfers), Thomas Frank’s men are turning their attention to another talented Swede, AIK Fotboll starlet Kevin Filling.

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It is alleged that Spurs are now circling over the forward, but it is pointed out that the player will not be eligible to move to North London until he turns 18 in November 2026.

As a result, Tottenham are considering signing Filling and loaning him back to AIK this summer.

Spurs’ Premier League rivals also like Filling

However, a deal for the teenager may not be straightforward for Spurs to complete, as Man United have also taken notice of him.

The report says that the Red Devils are considering signing Filling and then loaning him out to INEOS-owned FC Lausanne-Sport, who play in the Swiss top flight.

Their plan is for the 16-year-old to continue developing in Switzerland until he is ready to make the move to Old Trafford.