When Thomas Frank left Brentford after seven remarkable years to take charge of Tottenham Hotspur, many expected the Danish manager to face an adjustment period.
Brentford had been his home, a place where he built a reputation for tactical brilliance, strong man-management, and his ability to turn ordinary players into Premier League stars.
Yet, Frank wasted no time proving his worth at Spurs. With just one defeat in his first eleven games, he has transformed Tottenham into a side full of structure, belief, and ambition, propelling them to third place before the international break.
Much of the early attention has surrounded Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham’s marquee signing from West Ham. The Ghanaian forward joined the club in a £55 million deal that made him one of the most expensive transfers in Spurs’ history.
In his first ten appearances, Kudus has already scored once and provided five assists, justifying his hefty price tag.
Wayne Rooney even described him as a “real top signing” after his winning goal against Leeds. His speed, creativity, and confidence have quickly made him a fan favorite.
However, while Kudus dazzles with flair and attacking drive, another of Frank’s summer recruits has quietly become just as vital to Tottenham’s new identity Joao Palhinha.
Signed on a loan-to-buy deal worth £27 million, the former Fulham midfielder has seamlessly slotted into Frank’s system, providing balance and authority in the heart of midfield.
Football London’s Alasdair Gold even called his arrival “one of the bargains of the summer,” and it’s easy to see why.
Palhinha’s impact cannot be overstated. His ability to read the game, intercept passes, and dictate tempo has been crucial to Tottenham’s new approach.
He plays with calmness and control, qualities that allow Frank’s attacking players like Kudus to express themselves freely. Palhinha’s performances have been consistently dominant, and his numbers speak volumes:
| Palhinha’s Premier League Stats (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
| Games played | 7 |
| Goals scored | 2 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches per game | 49.4 |
| Accurate passes per game | 30.3 (82%) |
| Tackles per game | 3.6 |
| Ball recoveries per game | 2.0 |
| Total duels won per game | 6.7 |
These statistics underline why Frank sees Palhinha as more than just a defensive midfielder. He is the heartbeat of this Tottenham team the player who glues everything together. His strength in duels, positional awareness, and leadership make him indispensable.
Former Fulham boss Marco Silva once described Palhinha as a “leader,” and he has carried that same influence into the Tottenham dressing room.
It’s a role reminiscent of Bryan Mbeumo’s under Thomas Frank at Brentford. Mbeumo wasn’t just a goal threat; he was a constant presence, a reliable performer who understood his manager’s philosophy perfectly.
Across Frank’s reign at Brentford, Mbeumo made 242 appearances, scored 70 goals, and provided 51 assists. The pair’s relationship became one of the cornerstones of Brentford’s Premier League success, with Frank often calling Mbeumo his “main man.”
Now, in North London, Palhinha seems to have inherited that mantle. He might not possess Mbeumo’s attacking flair, but his influence is equally profound.
Every successful team needs a player who provides structure and stability, and that’s exactly what Palhinha offers. He’s the silent engine that powers Tottenham’s new era, ensuring balance between defense and attack.
What makes Palhinha stand out is not just his defensive intelligence but also his composure under pressure.
He rarely loses possession, recovers the ball efficiently, and plays forward with purpose. While Kudus excites the crowd with goals and assists, it’s Palhinha’s presence that allows Tottenham to dominate games with confidence.
Frank’s philosophy has always centered around trust and tactical cohesion. At Brentford, he built a team greater than the sum of its parts.
At Tottenham, he seems to be doing the same and Palhinha is becoming his most trusted lieutenant. Just as Mbeumo embodied Frank’s vision at Brentford, Palhinha embodies it now at Spurs.
For a manager who values discipline, hard work, and intelligence, Palhinha is the perfect fit. He brings leadership without arrogance, aggression without recklessness, and quality without unnecessary flair.
In a league where attacking headlines often overshadow defensive brilliance, his quiet excellence has been Tottenham’s real strength.
Forget Kudus for a moment as impressive as the Ghanaian has been, it’s Palhinha who has defined Tottenham’s transformation under Frank. His consistency, leadership, and tactical understanding have given Spurs something they have lacked for years: a true midfield general.
The partnership between Frank and Palhinha is fast becoming one of the Premier League’s most underrated success stories. Together, they have built a foundation strong enough to challenge the league’s best.
And while Kudus may continue to grab the spotlight, Palhinha remains the heartbeat the dependable force ensuring that Tottenham’s resurgence under Thomas Frank is no short-term miracle, but the beginning of something truly special.
