Fulham club captain Tom Cairney has been raving about midfield general Joao Palhinha after another fantastic performance at the weekend.
While Cairney was named man of the match against Arsenal at the weekend after assisting Raul Jimenez’s goal, Palhinha’s unbelievable tackle on Bukayo Saka in the closing stages arguably earned the Whites all three points.
Speaking on TalkSPORT (3/1 9:40am), the 32-year-old was asked about his Portuguese teammate and had nothing but good things to say about him.
With the January transfer window now open, many Fulham fans will be hoping that the club can hold onto some key players.
Left-back Antonee Robinson has been linked with Liverpool, while Everton are reportedly keen on Harrison Reed.
However, the most important player that could leave in the near future is Joao Palhinha.
A whole host of clubs want the Portuguese international but Fulham will have to hold firm and reject any interest, especially after the 28-year-old signed a new deal in September.
Cairney has been raving about Palhinha and how important he is to the Fulham side.
The pair have formed an exceptional midfield partnership in recent weeks that Silva will be keen to utilise going forward.
It’s hard to imagine anything the Portuguese coach wouldn’t do to keep his fellow countryman at the club.
Cairney praises Fulham star Palhinha
Asked about the 28-year-old, host Alan Brazil said: “I don’t like singling players out, but I’ll tell you who I do like, I like [Joao] Palhinha. I think he’s got it all mate.”
Cairney replied: “He’d kick his own grandma to win! Off the ball, I’ll be honest, he’s probably the best I’ve ever seen.
“I think his tenacity and the way he comes alive, he doesn’t lose it, his chasing down, he doesn’t just get there and put pressure on you, he goes to win it.
“Don’t get me wrong he gets a few yellow cards but to have him next to you or have him in your team is, I mean the tackle on Saka at the weekend in the box was top, top drawer.
“I don’t know, he was obviously linked in the summer with a big move and he deserved it but we’re just lucky to have him and hopefully keep hold of him.”
In Cairney and Palhinha, Fulham fans are currently witnessing one of the most enjoyable midfield pairings in years.
Over the past few seasons, the 32-year-old has played alongside the likes of Stefan Johansen, Kevin McDonald, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Jean Michael Seri.
However, the Portuguese enforcer is by far the most important player to line up alongside the left-footed wizard.
While the balance hasn’t always been perfect, with Bournemouth and Burnley exploiting several areas of weakness, when they get it right, they showed on New Year’s Eve that even some of the best teams in the world can’t stop them.