Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Joao Palhinha from Fulham.

Die Tinte ist trocken. ✍️✔️#ServusJoão #FCBayern #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/NQGgj8pE6M

— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 11, 2024

The Portuguese midfielder joins the German giant’s for an initial fee of €46 million, and has signed a four year deal.

After missing out on the Bundesliga title last season to Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern are desperate to strengthen their squad across the pitch. Palhinha has been a long term target, and they’ll be glad they’ve secured his services, but why were Bayern so desperate to sign him?

Bayern have spent quite a lot of money for a 28-year-old midfielder who was playing for Fulham last year, but in many ways I think this deal is somewhat of a bargain for the Bundesliga side.

So what is it that makes Joao Palhinha so special? He’s just got a knack for defending. He’d tackle a Hippopotamus if it was on a counter attack.

We'll always be your Cottages. 🥲

Wishing you the best of luck in Germany, João! pic.twitter.com/v0ElV3l6JA

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) July 11, 2024

Palhinha proved over the last couple of seasons that he’s ready to be a stalwart in an elite midfield set up. Palhinha never stops looking for his next catch, he’ll press when the opposition sit deep, or lurk and stalk his prey as they creep toward his team's box.

In fact, I would argue his positional awareness is next to none. He’s always in the right place at the right time, and always making the most crucial of tackles. Over the past two Premier League seasons, Palhinha has made far and away the most tackles with over 300 according to the league’s official website. He often uses his natural strength to remove obstacles, or opposition players if you’d like to call them that, as he battles his way to regaining possession.

I think the Portugal international will continue adding to his ridiculous tally of tackles, even in the Bundesliga. It doesn’t matter where he plays, be that for club or country, tackling is in Palhinha’s nature. He lives and breathes ball recovery.

Joao Palhinha : Art of Turnovers.

Simply, it means winning possession in open play via tackles or other means. He’s the best in Europe when it comes to this. https://t.co/iHgHEAcSyC pic.twitter.com/bNBemzx5U1

— VG (@3_peice) November 23, 2023

Palhinha doesn’t just thrive when the ball is on the ground. Standing at 6’3”, Palhinha is also dominant in the air. Whether it’s clearing a long ball, or from a defensive set-piece, Palhinha will die before he loses a duel. He’s won 113 aerial battles in his 68 Premier League appearances.

In fact, I would argue that in solely a defensive perspective, Palhinha is the best holding midfielder in Europe. Of course, while in possession he is nowhere near the levels of other elite holding midfielders, he could never come close to players like Rodri in that aspect.

In fairness to him, Palhinha provides a goal threat. Whether from attacking set pieces or long range effort, the midfielder scored some crucial goals for Fulham during his tenure, notably a late equaliser against Arsenal.

Palhinha’s dominant defensive style doesn’t come without its drawbacks. The midfielder has committed 100 fouls and received a whopping 27 yellow cards in the Premier League alone, with substitutions accounted for, that’s a yellow card every 215 minutes of football.