Joao Palhinha has told the Portuguese media that he was delighted with his first season at Fulham and has no intention of leaving Craven Cottage.
The Portuguese international quickly became a cult hero amongst the Fulham fanbase after his imperious performances in Marco Silva’s midfield having signed from Sporting for an initial fee of just over £17m. The 28 year-old led the English top flight in terms of number of tackles (147) and most successful tackles (83) as well as scoring four goals in forty games as the Whites finished tenth after being tipped for relegation.
Palhinha told Eleven Sports this weekend:
“It was my first season outside my country – the Portuguese league – the first time I’d left Portugal. It was a change. It was everything together and I think I faced this challenge very well. It is a league that suits my characteristics and qualities very well. I’ve settled here very well: like a glove. I’m very happy here and so is my family. At the moment, I’m very happy here [at Fulham] and I want to continue around here. I think it’s the league that suits my football.”
Hate to be a doom and gloom merchant, but is he saying he’s “happy at Fulham” and has “no intention of leaving Craven Cottage”? I read it as Palhinha saying he is happy in the Premier League and has no intention of leaving the Premier League!! Hope you’re right and I’m wrong!
Ben – I’m only allowed to quote a paragraph of an interview with the Portuguese Premier League rights holders that was conducted in a foreign language. I’m confident the translation is accurate. If you listen to the full interview in Portuguese on Eleven Sports, Palhinha is adamant that he wants to continue for a number of years at Fulham but he answers a question about returning to Portugal and Sporting later in his career.
If he did want to leave, he has four years to run on his current contract and a club option for a further year, which would mean a buyer would need to pay a hefty fee. Things do change quickly in football but he’s very keen to keep playing for Fulham at this point.
As long as Marco Silva signs a new contract, i am confident most of our players will stay and many will be signing new contracts themselves
I see it same as you Malcolm B .get Silva to sign new deal and the rest will fall into place.
I 100% agree. Provided Tony Khan gets Marco Silva to sign a new contract I believe most of the players including Palhinha and Willian will want to stay at Fulham. The players and fans love him. Even Tony Khan says he is the best manager he has worked with and gets kn well with him. Maybe there is some disagreement who to retain and who Marco wants to sign. For all our sakes let’s hope Tony Khan does not throw a spanner in the works
Agree with all the above. Khan has to show willing to back silvas idea of progression though to get him to commit. He’s sure as hell earnt that! If silva wanted to sign Richarlison and dele alli would have faith in him lol