With Portuguese newspaper A Bola today featuring a four-page interview with Fulham midfielder João Palhinha, you can bet he had a lot to say about his first few months in the Premier League.
The conversation was actually divided into three parts. One about his adaptation to English football, another on the national team and his chances of going to the World Cup, and one regarding his former clubs Sporting and Braga.
Speaking of Fulham, Palhinha spoke about Marco Silva’s importance for his arrival at the club, explaining the manager has been giving him help in the process of adapting to English football.
“He played a key role, because he already knew me from my time with Sporting’s B team,” João Palhinha told A Bola.
“He knew my path and made me feel his desire to come to Fulham. That was the very important factor, because having a coach who wants me, who knows me well and wants to boost me even more and in the best league in the world, is always an attractive project for any player. And he’s helped me a lot in what he thinks I can add to the team, and that has been reflected in me.”
On his relationship with the fans, Palhinha highlighted the chants he’s been hearing from the stands, insisting he’s a big fan of that.
The midfielder was also asked to share a little more about Fulham, and once again, he made it clear that the affection from the fans has been playing a big role in his adaptation.
“It’s a special, iconic London club, with a wonderful stadium even though it’s not one of the biggest in the Premier League. But it is a historic stadium and everyone, family and friends who come to see the games, feel a special atmosphere inside the stadium. I’m very happy, the people at the club and the fans have treated me very well, they make me feel the affection they have for me and that’s all reflected on the pitch. I feel even more motivated. And the respect they have is very great. I feel grateful for that.”
When speaking of the difference between England and Portugal, Palhinha highlighted players using public transport.
“Here is different. I leave the stadium walking, take an Uber and go home. It’s a totally different record. Just recently we took the train to the game with Leeds and I was talking to my parents telling them that it was the same thing as taking the subway after a Sporting game. It is something totally unthinkable. Here you go by subway and you have one or another person asking to take a photo, but always with the utmost naturalness. Not being used to it, I found it strange at first, but these are natural things that our country also needs, because players sometimes seem to be in a bubble. If we all had that naturalness, it would help everyone.”
Palhinha is clearly enjoying his time in England, and with Fulham, so far and seems optimistic about his future with the club.
