are amongst a clutch of golf equipment mentioned to be eager on Fulham's Joao Palhinha, who has confirmed to be one of many signings of the season. And Rio Ferdinand has change into the most recent knowledgeable to gush with reward for the midfield destroyer who might but be patrolling the pitch on the Emirates on a weekly foundation subsequent time period.
Portugal worldwide Palhinha has established himself as the most effective tackler within the Premier League in his debut marketing campaign with the Cottagers. He has accomplished 114 tackles, at the very least 25 greater than another participant within the division and at a mean of greater than 4 per sport.
Different stand-out gamers famend for breaking apart play embody fellow Arsenal targets Moises Caicedo (89 tackles) and Declan Rice (72), who're effectively adrift of Palhinha's numbers. Whereas the Gunners' personal midfield anchor Thomas Partey has carried out excellently this time period however is likewise far behind on 64.
And Ferdinand has labelled Palhinha, who Fulham signed from Sporting Lisbon for simply £20million final summer time, a "dream" for centre-halves as he showered the participant with reward. He mentioned on BT Sport when discussing the artwork of successful possession: "The factor is it isn't essentially a talent that youngsters these days are even speaking about as a result of it isn't Instagrammable.
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"It is a talent that is undoubtedly wanted within the sport and must be checked out and honed. It does not occur in a single day, you have to observe. From a centre-half's point-of-view, he is the right foil. You want somebody like that in entrance of you.
“While you've acquired somebody who's defensive minded in that place forward of you, it is one other layer of delay. You may cease issues at supply earlier than it even will get to me. Centre-halves should dream of getting a participant like him."
Ferdinand's feedback echoed Steve Sidwell's who hailed Palhinha - additionally linked to Liverpool - as "totally sensational" and mentioned: "I feel he can [play at a higher level]. He is most likely the signing of the season by way of all of the signings there's been all through this yr.
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"He is 27, he is acquired to be trying and pondering, if I need to begin attaining issues now, the previous couple of years of my profession are his prime as effectively. He is acquired a fantastic dimension, an excellent engine, and he simply loves doing that function."
Fulham boss Marco Silva solely final month declared that the sensible Palhinha is nevertheless "joyful" at Craven Cottage. He added: "It's unattainable to regulate what individuals write. Whether or not it's managers or gamers are linked with golf equipment, or if there may be curiosity.
"To be trustworthy, it's one thing that we do not lose time interested by these conditions. With Joao it's the identical." It's anticipated any transfer for Palhinha would price at the very least £40m, although the lure of Champions League soccer at Arsenal might show tempting.