FC Fulham lost 1: 5 (1: 2) at Manchester City on Saturday (September 2nd, 2023) in the English Premier League – without top performer Palhinha. The Portuguese was surprisingly missing from the squad, reasons were not given. But the words of coach Marco Silva give an idea that Palhinha was not mentally ready for an assignment after the transfer to Bayern Munich collapsed at short notice.
“Yesterday was a busy day, a hard day for Joao”, Silva said, according to The Athletic. “I know him very well. Even if I don’t feel the same, I know how he feels right now. I’m here to do my best for him because it’s a difficult moment for him.”
According to media reports, the clubs were practically in agreement on Friday, the last day of the transfer window. Palhinha (28) should therefore switch to the Bundesliga for 65 million euros and sign a five-year contract until 2028. But because Fulham could not find an adequate replacement in the short time, the deal burst on the home straight.
According to reports, Palhinha had already completed the medical check in Munich and taken the first official photos. In the end he had to fly back to London.
Tuchel: “I was very sad”
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said on “Sky”: “I was very sad because I knew how much the player wanted to join us and I know what that player would have given us.” Tuchel would have his midfielders Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer “I’d like to put someone in the cross who will help them to develop their full offensive potential”.
When asked whether the Bayern squad was stronger or weaker, Tuchel replied: “We’ll see. He’s thinner than before. It’s a little thin, a little little. We’ll do our best and push the squad.”
No arrivals, two departures
Munich’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen saw what sounds like an upset. “I can’t find a grudge at all”, said Dreesen and spoke of one “extremely good relationship” to Tuchel. But he also said: “Sure, he has to be a bit more creative now. That’s his job.”
One has at Palhinha “really everything” tried, said the Bayern boss: “It’s no use if at the end of the day, despite an excellent offer from us, the other club can’t because they don’t have a replacement, then money doesn’t help either.” When asked about a possible transfer in winter, Dreesen replied: “Let’s see. You usually see each other twice in your life.”
Apparently, Bayern failed to reach an agreement with Fulham early enough to give the English club enough time to search for a replacement. The result: Munich did not record any more newcomers in the final part of the transfer period, but did leave: midfielder Ryan Gravenberch signed for Liverpool FC, defender Benjamin Pavard for Inter Milan.