Igor Tudor has admitted that a key “big leader” within the Tottenham Hotspur squad is currently being used out of his natural position due to the team’s situation.
Tudor arrived in north London at a time when nearly half of the squad were sidelined with injuries. For the clash against Arsenal, the interim boss had just 13 senior players available, forcing him to make tactical compromises and deploy players in unfamiliar roles.
Spurs have since been boosted by the returns of Kevin Danso and Pedro Porro ahead of their trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham. However, the Croatian coach confirmed that one player may still need to continue operating outside his preferred position.
Tudor reserved special praise for João Palhinha, describing him as a major presence both on and off the pitch. He highlighted the midfielder’s leadership qualities and importance in the dressing room, stressing that his value extends beyond his performances on the field.
Despite that admiration, Tudor acknowledged that the 30-year-old has been deployed in defence rather than his natural midfield role. He explained that shifting to a back four in the previous match was necessary to address certain weaknesses within the team, adding that adjustments are sometimes required for the greater good. While he believes Palhinha is at his best in midfield, the current circumstances mean the Portuguese international may have to continue filling in at centre-back for now.
Palhinha joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich last summer, with the club holding an option to make the move permanent for £22 million. However, reports suggest there is no longer a guarantee that Tottenham will activate that clause at the end of the season.
The uncertainty surrounding his future has grown following the departure of Thomas Frank, who is believed to have played a key role in bringing the midfielder to N17.
