Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Inacio, Ruben Dias and Joao Palhinha. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League survival fight is now back in their own hands.
Victories in their final three league matches against Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton would guarantee Spurs another season in the top flight — although that is far easier said than done given the pressure surrounding the club right now.
Should they avoid relegation, a major rebuild is expected in North London, with fresh faces likely to arrive across several positions.
And it appears Roberto De Zerbi may already know one player he wants to build around next season.
De Zerbi Wants to Keep Palhinha
Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear he wants Tottenham to sign João Palhinha permanently this summer following the midfielder’s loan spell from Bayern Munich.
The Portugal international — previously described as “impressive” by former Fulham boss Marco Silva — joined Spurs on loan last summer, with the club holding an option to buy worth around £27 million.
After struggling for consistency under multiple managers earlier in the campaign, Palhinha recently delivered one of his strongest performances yet in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa, helping Spurs continue their late push for survival.
De Zerbi did not hesitate when asked whether he wanted the 30-year-old to stay permanently.
“One hundred per cent,” the Italian said, per the Daily Mail. “We have to start from this type of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players.”
The Spurs boss then doubled down on his admiration for the midfielder: “Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. I want to see players with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit and the same personality. We are lucky to have him with us.”
Palhinha has endured a stop-start season in North London, featuring under three different managers while Tottenham searched for the right balance in midfield.
Competition from Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray, Yves Bissouma and Conor Gallagher has limited his opportunities at times, but De Zerbi now seems determined to make him a cornerstone of his plans.
If Tottenham do survive, keeping experienced leaders like Palhinha could become just as important as signing flashy new names. In a squad that has looked fragile for much of the season, De Zerbi clearly values players he can trust when things get difficult.
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