Fulham’s anchor, Joao Palhinha, solidifies his stature as the Premier League’s premier tackler, boasting an impressive tally of 52 tackles in the ongoing season and seamlessly continuing his dominance from the previous campaign. Another player who appears on this list is Brazilian Vinicius Souza, a Sheffield United player.
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The summer brought suspense as Bayern Munich’s bid for Palhinha was tantalizingly close to fruition. However, the intricacies of football fate intervened, as Fulham’s inability to secure a replacement forced the cancellation of the deal. The reverberations of relief were felt throughout Fulham, as Palhinha remained in the Premier League, eliciting jubilation from both the club and its supporters.
A glimpse at the Premier League’s 2023/24 tackles leaderboard paints a vivid picture of Palhinha’s supremacy:
- Joao Palhinha (52)
- Pedro Porro (39)
- Vinicius Souza (38)
- Marvelous Nakamba (38)
- Yves Bissouma (36)
Joao Palhinha is a tackling machine 💥
Find out who’s recorded the most for your team ➡️ https://t.co/zCVaT7xkVD pic.twitter.com/3SFzLN94yX
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 18, 2023
Beyond being a stalwart in the defensive midfield role, Palhinha’s impact resonates further. His adeptness at tackles and interceptions not only provides a bulwark for his defenders but also unveils a surprising facet of his game – offensive prowess, exemplified by his tally of 2 goals this season.
Come for the tackles, stay for the strike.
Sit back and enjoy João Palhinha vs Brighton… 🍿 pic.twitter.com/VU15nV2ynR
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) October 30, 2023
Delving into the broader European context, Palhinha’s prowess extends beyond national borders, leading the tackles-per-game chart with an astounding 5.2, a testament to his defensive mastery. This distinction cements his status as Portugal’s preferred defensive midfielder, affording attacking maestros like Bruno Fernandes the liberty to shine.
In the realm of speculation, the underrated Palhinha emerges as one of Europe’s premier defensive midfielders. The tantalizing prospect of a move to a bigger club looms on the horizon should he sustain this stellar performance, adding an intriguing layer to his already compelling narrative.
✅ Most duels won (11)
✅ Most aerial duels won (4)
✅ Most possession won (8)
✅ Most tackles (6)João Palhinha 👏
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 17, 2023
The ongoing season sees Joao Palhinha once again taking the reins as the Premier League’s foremost tackler. With an impressive count of 52 tackles already, he looks poised to claim the top spot for a second consecutive season, following his remarkable tally of 148 tackles in the 2022/23 campaign.
