Palhinha’s former national team teammate knows the quality he can bring.
João Palhinha has not found his start to life at Bayern Munich easy.
For one thing, it came an entire calendar year later than expected — after he was left at the altar so to speak as the summer transfer window slammed shut on Deadline Day in 2023.
When he finally arrived a year later, the coach had changed (Thomas Tuchel out, Vincent Kompany in) and so had the tactics. The Portuguese destroyer has looked less needed in the Kompany model, and battled injury to boot in the first half of the 2024/25 campaign.
But those who know him well know that his best days at Bayern can still be ahead of him.
“I would advise everyone involved to be patient,” Portuguese defender Pepe said in comments during the recent international period, captured by Bild journalist Nico Linner (via @iMiaSanMia). “I know from our time together that João brings a lot of quality, and I’m sure he’ll give Bayern a lot no later than next season. He fights incredibly hard for his team.
“It hasn’t been easy for him recently — even before the move in the summer, when his transfer to Bayern fell through at the last minute. There were a lot of emotions involved. And now that João is in Munich, it’s a big change for him compared to his time at Fulham. It’s normal that he needs a year to adjust and settle in. But I’m sure he’ll manage to turn his situation around and help Bayern a lot.”
The long-time Real Madrid and Porto star knows a thing or two about stout defending…as well as the long game. First-year acclimation periods can be tough, too. Who’s to say Palhinha can’t shine in Year Two?
