Joao Palhinha praised by Fulham teammate Tom Cairney amid transfer speculation - 'One of the best off the ball'
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Published 13/01/2024 at 12:37 GMT
Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha has been praised by Tom Carney, amid speculation that he may earn a transfer to another Premier League club. Carney told TNT Sports that Palhinha was a "breath of fresh air", and "one of the best I've ever seen off the ball." The 28-year-old Palhinha signed for Fulham from Sporting CP in July 2022, and nearly moved to Bayern Munich last summer.
'Put them under a bit of panic' - Fulham's Cairney eyeing Chelsea scalp ahead of West London derby
Fulham captain Tom Cairney has praised teammate Joao Palhinha, branding the midfielder "one of the best off the ball".
The 28-year-old Palhinha has been an integral player for Fulham since signing for the club from Sporting CP in July 2022.
He has subsequently been linked with moves to some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Palhinha had looked set to secure a transfer to Bayern Munich last summer, completing a medical with the Bundesliga club, but the move fell through.
Ahead of Fulham’s match against Chelsea on TNT Sports, Cairney explained just why Palhinha is so in demand, describing the Portuguese star as a "breath of fresh air."
"If you lose the ball, he smells blood," Cairney said. "He’s probably one of the best I've ever seen off the ball, in terms of getting back, recovering and trying to win back the ball.
"He doesn't just put pressure on them, he goes back to win the ball and does the tackle.
"It's amazing to watch sometimes. I think the fans have taken to him. I think he's been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League."
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'Put them under a bit of panic' - Fulham's Cairney eyeing Chelsea scalp ahead of West London derby
Cairney’s own future at Fulham is secure, with the 32-year-old signing a new contract earlier this month that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2025.
"Hopefully it will take me to 10 years [at Fulham}, which in football is a rare thing these days," Cairney said.
"It feels like players come and go – well I’ve seen a lot of players come and go at Fulham. A proud moment for me to hopefully reach the 10."
Fulham are currently 13th in the Premier League table after an inconsistent December. Results included a 2-1 victory against Arsenal, and 5-0 wins against Nottingham Forest and West Ham. But Fulham also failed to score against Newcastle, Burnley and Bournemouth.
The Cottagers did reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Liverpool. They lost the first leg 2-1, with the second leg at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, January 24.
"We said it from the start, when we first played Tottenham in the first round of the Carabao [Cup] that we want to get to the final," Cairney said.
"We're close, we are playing against a world class team. But I feel like that's our ambition to get to a final."
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