Thomas Frank explains what surprised him about Joao Palhinha Tottenham transfer

Thomas Frank admits he was surprised that Joao Palhinha was available from Bayern Munich and explained that the experienced midfielder comes into an empty role he assessed immediately that Tottenham needed.

Spurs have tied up a loan deal for the 30-year-old former Fulham midfielder which reportedly includes a £26.2million (30million euros) option to buy the Portuguese at the end of the season. Palhinha played 68 games in the Premier League as a defensive midfielder at Craven Cottage before making the move to Bayern for £46.5million last summer.

A torn adductor muscle however fragmented his debut season in Germany and now Tottenham have managed to bring him back to England and football.london asked Frank what attracted him to Palhinha.

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"It was always his abilities and if you look at the squad I don’t think we have his ability or package as a clear number six with his profile. I actually think Rodri (Bentancur) can play there as well but I think they could complement each other well in there if, for example, it is those two or also other players," he said. "I think Pape (Sarr) is extremely promising. We have Bissouma and Bergvall as well.

"But [Palhinha’s] defensive qualities, his ability to be in the centre of the pitch, very disciplined, his distribution, short, diagonals, [passes] in behind and then his ability to break up play. Especially if you are playing away from home or against good counter-attacking teams. It’s very important to have one that, you know, is not running away or gets attracted to something. His set-piece ability in both boxes is a key thing and he has some experience which is good."

The Spurs head coach explained to football.london that he immediately felt that the squad he had inherited was missing something in the anchor man role.

"When I came in and assessed the squad, it was an area where I thought we could need something there," he admitted. "I know the squad and I know the team and I have watched extra [games] before I went in but it’s always different when you then walk in and you feel [the players], you touch them, you work with them and I watch intense video with my eyes and the way I want things to go.

"Then I learned a bit more that he would be a very good addition. He played in the Premier League for two years so I followed him closely and remember the battles we had with him [at Brentford]. He was so annoying to play against so that is a good quality!"

Frank admitted he was taken aback that Tottenham were able to get Palhinha away from Bayern after just a single season in the Bundesliga.

"Yeah, I was a bit surprised. Bayern went hard for him for two years and for whatever reason, which I actually don’t care about because we can get him, it was an opportunity for us," said the Dane. " Sometimes everything goes a little bit in circles. Sometimes it is impossible to get a number nine. Sometimes it is impossible to get a number six. Sometimes it is impossible to get a right-back. At this moment in time, there are not many clear number sixes in the market so we are quite lucky to get him."

He added: "I think he is a top player. He impressed everyone in the Premier League in the two years he was with Fulham. He is a regular for Portugal. Whatever the reason [Bayern let him go maybe] is the coach, the culture, the club, himself. Sometimes it is difficult to say. My concern is that he wanted to come and we wanted him to come."

At 30-years-old, Palhinha is one of the older players Tottenham have signed in recent years, especially with that potential £26.2million fee if he impresses, but Frank made it clear it was important to add players who can perform now and adding experience does not necessarily mean older arrivals.

"It doesn’t have to be that experience [in terms of age]. Kudus is experienced and he is 24. He has tried a lot in his life and he can perform now," said the Spurs head coach. "I think it’s important to have some players who can perform now. We need to have enough of them and enough talent. We need the perfect blend because I think we have some big talent in the middle of the pitch like Archie Gray, Lucas and Pape."

On the loan deal aspect suiting all parties, Frank added: "That was important for all of us. We need him and his profile but let’s see how he settles in. The loan with an option always gives us the opportunity to go one step further. When we sign a player, no matter loan or permanent, it’s always around the long term. It just gives us a little bit more wriggling room in a year's time."

football.london suggested that even if it did end up being a short-term deal it gave 19-year-olds Gray and Bergvall another year to grow and develop into the role Frank had been looking for.

"Yes that is a very good point. Thank you for asking that, that is what I should have said. You are right," he said. "It is two big talents that I am really pleased are in the building but it's also clear they need to grow. Pape has shown that. It's not about age. They are 19, he is 22. It’s not that. Some are ready when they are 19, some at 20, some at 22 or 23, but you can clearly see Pape is just a tiny bit ahead and is a big talent. We have been very pleased with him."