Joe Hart does not agree with what some fans are saying about Thomas Frank playing two Tottenham stars together in the Premier League.
When Spurs signed Joao Palhinha, they knew exactly what they were getting, and the midfielder has not disappointed in his first few months at N17.
The Portuguese international is unsurprisingly excelling in mopping up in front of the back four, and his ability to break up play consistently is one of the main reasons Tottenham have the joint-second best defensive record in the Premier League this season.
The 31-year-old has already formed a great connection with Rodrigo Bentancur, who signed a new long-term contract with Spurs just last week.
Joao Palhinha backed to be a big-match player for Tottenham
Joe Hart believes that Tottenham have got an absolute steal by landing Palhinha on an initial loan deal with an option to buy for £26m.
The former Spurs goalkeeper believes that the experienced midfielder will be worth his weight in gold during the big Champions League and Premier League matches this season.
Hart told TNT Sports (04/10/25) about Palhinha: “Top signing, he’s really got that steel and is the kind of player who’s going to thrive under Thomas Frank. Big clutch moments for him, battle in the middle of the park in the Premier League and Champions League is always going to be important.”
Peter Crouch agreed with Hart’s assessment, suggesting that Palhinha is exactly the kind of player the Lilywhites have been lacking in the middle of the park.
The former England striker said about the on-loan Bayern Munich man: “I love him as a player, I genuinely do. I just absolutely love his aggression; he’s found himself going forward now and getting higher up in the top end of the pitch.
“But this is what he’s good at, just breaking up play, he can play, he’s got a good brain. But the aggression in the midfield, I think that’s what’s been lacking in the midfield for a number of years, really, and this is what he brings.”
Joe Hart rubishes criticism of Thomas Frank’s midfield selections
While there is no doubt that Thomas Frank’s formula in the middle of the park has made Tottenham defensively resolute, some have opined that the Joao Palhinha Rodrigo Bentancur pairing is not creative enough, especially against inferior sides when Spurs have a lot of the ball.
However, Hart believes that the issue will naturally resolve itself when the Uruguayan and Portuguese stars understand each other’s game better.
When asked if the pairing hinders Tottenham creatively, the 38-year-old responded: “It doesn’t hinder, they’ve just got to learn to play together, it’s early on in the season. Two top players, and they’re going to try and bounce off each other.
“But him (Palhinha) getting forward, he’ll be one of the two, but you need that strength in midfield, it’s such a physical league with so much going on, relationships need to develop, and he’s got a real opportunity to make himself a big name at Spurs.”