Joao Palhinha expresses desire to stay and fight for playing time at Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich’s €50m transfer flop Joao Palhinha has spoken on his disappointing season with the newly crowned Bundesliga champions. The Portuguese international – the coveted “holding six” of former Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel – arrived one year too late to fit into Tuchel’s tactical plans. Injuries and the FCB depth chart have limited him to just 17 league appearances this season. 

Bayern management are on record as saying that they do wish to keep the former Fulham man this summer. Palhinha himself expressed the desire to remain and fight for the opportunity to play. Whether or not he will get the chance behind the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and the resurgent Leon Goretzka remains to be seen. Goretzka’s potential sale this summer might at least open up a door for the 29-year-old.

“I will do everything to prove my worth,” Palhinha – as quoted by Kicker – said. “Why should I leave? I’m at one of the greatest clubs in the world. I’m up for the fight. If there’s anyone who wants to prove what he’s capable of, it’s me.

“It has been a difficult time,” the 33-times-capped international nevertheless acknowledged. “It was one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, seasons of my career.”

GGFN | Peter Weis