Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Joao Palhinha is somebody who could certainly fit in at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It has been reported that Sporting have been approached by Premier League side Wolves in regards to their midfielder Palhinha over a potential summer move to Molineux.
Palhinha came through the Sporting academy, and has been a mainstay in their side this season, he has made 39 appearances in all competitions, whilst chipping in with three goals along the way.
With Palhinha being linked with a move to Wolves, Jones stated to This Is Futbol that due to Bruno Lage being under pressure, the Portuguese midfielder would have to perform well instantly.
He said: “This guy absolutely is somebody that could fit what they built in the past. Bruno Lage is under a lot of pressure at the moment and I think that if he’s still in charge for the start of next season, things have to begin very well. So if this is his signing, if this is his guy, then it’s gonna have to work out.”
Will Lage be Wolves manager next season?Yes
No
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TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’s comments…
Palhinha, who has beend described as ‘all-round’ by Squawka, has had a mixed bag in terms of stats for Sporting this season, in Liga Portugal, he averages the most tackles for his side per game (3), he has the sixth most amount of interceptions per game (1) and averages the seventh most clearances on average for his side (0.9), as per Sofascore.
There have been reports that Ruben Neves is going to leave Wolves in the upcoming transfer window and with Palhinha’s stats this season, he could be a suitable replacement for him.
However, with the Portuguese midfielder not having any experience in the Premier League previously, it may take him a bit of time to get used to the league, which does not favour Lage, after he somewhat underachieved this season by finishing tenth and not achieving any European football for next season.