How the loss of of Joao Palhinha has forced Fulham to evolve

Charlie Shaw says the Portuguese midfielder’s exit has caused a chain reaction that’s shifted our entire style – for the better.

After a tumultuous 2023 summer window, the close season has been crucial in determining the direction Fulham will travel, whether that’s sliding down the Premier League table or further cementing our top-flight spot. As the exit door was opened for a number of important squad members, much was made about the potential catastrophe looming at Craven Cottage. However, the opening period of this season suggests those fears were unfounded.

Joao Palhinha is truly a defensive icon, putting up six tackles and interceptions per 90 last season. His numbers are incomparable to anybody at the very highest level, and this gave Fulham a dilemma: replace the irreplaceable, in a system built around the Portuguese star, or revamp the system without him. Silva chose the latter, but how has the former Estoril boss achieved this?

A significant shift

The opening games this season point to the answer. In 2023/24 Fulham had the 17th-highest defensive line in the Premier League, as Silva’s side sat in a low block, relying on Palhinha to break up attacks, forcing opposing sides into the Portugal international’s path. Once we regained the ball, we were full of industry, albeit not so abundant with creativity, leaving the ball winner, Joao Palhinha, to distribute to Antonee Robinson and Andreas Pereira to kickstart the transition.

Without our midfield monster, Fulham have changed tack, rising to the fourth highest defensive line in the top flight so far this term. This change in tactic enables to win the ball higher, starting the transition faster. We have the third highest number of tackles won in the attacking third, compared to ranking 14th last season.

Paramount to this change is Fulham’s record signing Emile Smith Rowe. Not renowned for his defensive actions, ESR has become increasingly involved in winning the ball back, recording three tackles in both of his previous two games. Partnering Smith Rowe’s newfound work rate with his flair and creativity has seen the 24 year old flourish, as the former Arsenal star has been allowed attacking freedom to attack vulnerable defences after winning the ball in the final third.

Solidified defence

With Calvin Bassey’s most regular centre-back partner, Tosin, departing to the dark side of SW6, Fulham were crying out for a right-sided centre half. Enter Joachim Andersen. Calmness personified, the Great Dane has defensive serenity at the Cottage not seen since his Scandinavian counterpart Brede Hangeland played here.

Andersen’s passing range has given Fulham a completely different avenue for attack, as his long searching diagonals find Alex Iwobi, ESR or Adama Traore. If Andersen is the ying, then Bassey’s the yang. They complement eachother perfectly, with the former Palace captain’s aforementioned technical and leadership abilities perfectly covering for any of Bassey’s weaknesses in passing and experience. And with the Joa overseeing the high line, Calvin’s athleticism covers for his defensive partner’s lack of pace, a prerequisite for playing a high line.

A potent midfield mix

Instead of having a midfield pivot of a true destroyer in Palhinha partnered by a typical number eight, through the opening five games of the season, Fulham have had their most fundamental change In the middle of the park. We’ve started the season with Sasa Lukic, a press-resistant midfield metronome, alongside Andreas Pereira, to create a technically proficient, yet energetic midfield duo. This cements Fulham’s transformation into a team that wants to press high, utilising the vigour of Lukic, Andreas, Adama, Iwobi, and Smith Rowe to press a as a team, instead of leaving all the turnover of possession to Joao Palhinha, in less threatening areas of the pitch.

The addition of Sander Berge provides added balance to this midfield, with the Norwegian international the ideal man to drive Fulham up the pitch in transition, being acclaimed for his direct dribbling style, juxtaposing his large physical frame with nimble feet to beat players going forward, opening up the pitch in just a few strides. His four progressive carries per 90 in 2021/22 at Sheffield United announced the Norwegian’s arrival in the Premier League and illustrate why the former Burnley man has been brought in to provide competition to – predominately – Andreas Pereira.

Fulham have taken on a more perilous system, but one that sees Marco Silva’s men become more of an exciting side. The change between 23/24 and 24/25’s systems may just be the largest in the Premier League club for club, but when you’re dealing with a loss of a player as great as influential as Joao Palhinha, desperate times call for desperate measures.