- Tim Sherwood makes hilarious claim about João Palhinha
- Heaps praise on Tottenham midfielder
- Has made similar claims in the past
Tottenham Hotspur have been having a rather poor season and are still involved in the Premier League relegation battle with just three matches left in the season.
The biggest issue at the club earlier this season was Thomas Frank, as the manager failed to set up the side well in most games. The Igor Tudor stint did not change much at the club, as the performances were relatively the same, if not worse.
However, things are now slowly improving, and Tottenham are out of the bottom three after picking up seven points in three matches under Roberto De Zerbi.
Since his arrival, Spurs sit sixth in the form table, and only two teams have collected more points in the same number of matches – Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
Tim Sherwood highlights key reason for Tottenham’s bounce
Tim Sherwood was on Sky Sports this week, discussing Tottenham’s win over Aston Villa in the Premier League. The former manager believes the key to the unbeaten run under De Zerbi lies in the midfield duo.
He claimed that Rodrigo Bentancur and João Palhinha have listened to the Italian coach and done their job well. The 57-year-old said the Uruguayan has been instructed to keep the ball moving forward rather than play it safe.
Sherwood added that the Portuguese loanee’s main job is to tackle, and hilariously claimed that the midfielder would get the ball off his grandmother if he had to win it for his team.
He added that the 30-year-old plays for the badge and said:
“That protection in front [of the centre-backs] was vital, [the] two midfield players. Benteco can pass it – I think he’s been told by De Zerbi, ‘just pass it forward more than sideways and backwards’, and Paulinho knows his job.
“He tackles. He will tackle anyone. If his grandmother had the ball, he would go and get it off her for the team. He plays for the badge. You want players who are going to play for the cockerel on their shirt.”
Palhinha has played 42 matches across all competitions for Tottenham since joining from Bayern Munich on loan. He has six goals and three assists, including the late winner at Wolverhampton in the Premier League last month.
Not the first time Tim Sherwood has made claims about Tottenham loanee
Sherwood has made similar claims about Palhinha when he was at Fulham. The former Tottenham manager said in February 2024 that the Portuguese would be happy to tackle his family members if he had to, and said on talkSPORT:
“I like him. This guy will kick his family members (to get a result). He gets loads of cards, he’s got disciplinary problems.
“He’s got energy; he runs around. He’s like two bodies in the middle of the pitch. He anticipates where the ball is going to go, he’s got a decent range of passing, pops up with a goal, heads balls out of the box.
“He does the scruffy stuff that you need team members to do. I think Palhinha is a top-drawer player.”
Tottenham reportedly have a £25 million option to sign Palhinha permanently in the summer. However, reports suggest that they are in talks with Bayern Munich to lower the asking price.
