In terms of the Premier League table, in this early stage of the season, Tottenham Hotspur are doing pretty well. However, there is a growing dissatisfaction among fans, who have been forced to adjust from Ange Postecoglou's daring brand of high-risk football to Thomas Frank's pragmatic and cautious approach to games. While the results haven't been too bad, the general feeling about the team isn't as positive as it should be.
One of the most often-cited issues with Spurs' current run of form is the ongoing injury crisis, which has seen a number of important players side-lined. As well as severely limiting squad rotation, some of the team's most creative players have been missing since before the season began. Some have highlighted Xavi Simons' slow start to life at Spurs as an issue, as the team has clearly lacked attacking creativity, but Simons is not at fault. In fact, the blame largely lies with one of the club's best signings of recent years.
João Palhinha has been, by and large, one of Tottenham's stand-out players so far in the 25/26 season. His physicality and relentless style of play have made a huge difference to a team that has, at times, struggled to stay in games they should have been able to win with ease. While Palhinha as an individual player has been exceptional, his role in the team lies at the heart of one of Spurs' biggest problems.
How Palhinha's Role At Tottenham Is Causing Problems
Thomas Frank's start to life at Tottenham Hotspur hasn't been too bad, but the manager's style of football has seemed to lack a certain intensity that fans are desperately craving. The problem - largely an inability to score goals when they're most needed - might seem to lie with the forwards, but this isn't strictly true. And while the issue doesn't stem from Palhinha as a player, it's a result of how Thomas Frank has been utilising him.
João Palhinha has made at least eight more tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season (39).
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 27, 2025
He also has the best success rate of any midfielder to contest 75+ duels in the Premier League in 2025/26 (63.46% - 66/104).
Making a huge difference at Tottenham.… pic.twitter.com/EY8i6POjQd
Both Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur have been consistent fixtures of Spurs' midfield, operating as the team's pivot so far this season. Both are tough, strong players capable of winning the ball and cutting off opposition attacks, and their place in Spurs' starting eleven isn't often questioned, especially amid the current injury crisis. However, watching the pair closely, they routinely find themselves unable to play the ball up the pitch with forward passes. Without a steady supply from midfield, attacking players like Xavi Simons, Richarlison, Mathys Tel, and Wilson Odobert inevitably find themselves scoring fewer goals.
Frank's system at Spurs is reminiscent of how he would set up at Brentford, but the expectations and style at Tottenham make it a poor fit. Palhinha winning the ball in midfield doesn't do the team much good if he can't release it to an attacker, which he is often unable to do. This has led to Tottenham being able to keep possession with back or lateral passing, but puts the onus of creativity on wingers who have struggled to find consistent form.
Palhinha is undeniably one of Spurs' best players at present. All the time he continues to play with the strength and passion he's already exhibited at Spurs, fans will continue to love him. But if Thomas Frank doesn't begin to address the persistent isolation of his midfield pivot, Tottenham's restless fanbase will only grow increasingly frustrated.
