“I felt that desire” – Fulham signing reveals Marco Silva was key in transfer, wasn’t ‘easy decision’

Fulham midfielder João Palhinha spoke this week to Portuguese outlet Canal 11, where he had a long chat about his choice of moving to Craven Cottage this summer.

The player discussed the big importance that manager Marco Silva had in his switch to Fulham, claiming their relationship helped him to make the decision.

“There are several reasons why I went to Fulham. Marco knew me since I was playing in the B team, he showed me that he wanted to have me, we spoke two or three times on the phone and I felt that desire. It’s special when a coach tries to talk to us,” João Palhinha told Canal 11 (via O Jogo).

“That attracted me and added to this the dream of being in the Premier League. I took this decision at this moment because I won what I won at Sporting, living a beautiful story coming from the youth teams, and I felt that I closed the cycle. And even Sporting is in a continuous phase. The structure also thought that and I had to make that choice. This question of having the coach, of going to the World Cup… I’m 27 years old and I think I’ll reach another level.”

Before the move to Fulham, Palhinha had already been linked to other Premier League sides such as Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Still, he claims the Craven Cottage side’s interest is the only he ever got aware of.

“As far as I know, I only had this offer. That’s what came to me. It wasn’t an easy decision, I didn’t immediately say yes. It wasn’t easy. I had a goal of the Premier League, but it’s not easy to change comfort, family and the club where I grew up.”

Regarding Fulham’s objectives for the season, Palhinha made sure to be realistic about it, recalling that he not always fought for titles in his career.

“Fulham fight for smaller goals compared to Liverpool and City, but I haven’t always played for Sporting. I’ve been to Moreirense, Belenenses and here I look the same way, to dream of a higher level.”

Fulham spent €20m to sign Palhinha from Sporting this summer.

The player had been one of Marco Silva’s biggest desires for the transfer window, and following the pre-season, he was already a starter in the opening fixture against Liverpool, having stayed on the pitch for the 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw.