Journalist says Chelsea are looking at ‘sensational’ £17m midfielder, he’s a tackling machine

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Chelsea are interested in signing Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, according to reports.

Well-respected journalist Simon Phillips claims that Chelsea now have the 27-year-old Fulham midfielder on their radar.

He explains that it’s only tentative interest right now and the Blues haven’t made any moves yet, but he’s someone they are looking at.

Phillips wrote on his Substack: “One player I have been told to keep an eye on by sources and one who has been on our (Chelsea’s) radar of late is Fulham’s Joao Palhinha.”

Palhinha has certainly hit the ground running this season and made a very positive impact during his debut year in English football.

The no-nonsense defensive midfielder has been integral to Marco Silva’s Fulham side, who currently sit 10th in the Premier League table.

He’s an aggressive midfielder that is a tackling machine. The Premier League’s official website records that Palhinha has made a league-best 139 tackles so far this season, with second-placed Moises Caicedo from Brighton on 93.

Fulham hit the jackpot by signing him for £17million (BBC) from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

Our guess is his valuation will have soared after a fantastic campaign in the Premier League.

Steve Sidwell said on BT Sport a few weeks ago that Palhinha has been “absolutely sensational this season”, which we completely agree with.

The Daily Mail claimed this week that Mauricio Pochettino has already picked out three signings he wants to make at Chelsea if he takes charge as their new manager, as expected. In particular, the report says Pochettino would like a midfield partner to play alongside Enzo Fernandez.

In our view, Palhinha definitely fits the description of the No 6 Chelsea do need next season.