Copyright Yardbarker
Jamie Carragher blasts Tottenham Hotspur star Joao Palhinha for his decision making vs Chelsea Tottenham’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium left fans frustrated, but it was Jamie Carragher’s post-match critique that grabbed headlines. The former Liverpool defender didn’t hold back as he questioned the quality and confidence of Spurs midfielders Xavi Simons and João Palhinha, claiming the pair “lacked the nerve” to compete at Premier League level. It was a flat evening for Thomas Frank’s side, who managed only one shot on target despite long spells of possession. Chelsea, inspired by Moises Caicedo’s tireless pressing and Robert Sánchez’s assured goalkeeping, edged the contest through a single goal, but the match was defined less by clinical finishing and more by Spurs’ struggle to take initiative in midfield. Carragher pointed to a moment where Simons opted for a safe backward pass instead of threading the ball forward to attackers. Moments later, Palhinha’s sideways play drew audible groans from the home crowd. Here is what he remarked on Sky Sports (h/t The Standard) “The guy you’ve spent the money on, he’s creative, he’s got players running forward, he’s got all the time in the world, and still he goes back,” A Crisis of Confidence or a Systemic Issue? Carragher didn’t stop there, going on to accuse Palhinha of lacking both composure and technical quality: “For me, for a player in central midfield for Tottenham, that’s a pass you have to make. He can’t make it, so he goes back. Listen to the boo, the only reason he turns is because of them. Otherwise, he’d have gone back to the goalkeeper. Palhinha takes five touches because he hasn’t got the confidence or the ability.” Harsh words, but not entirely fair, some Spurs supporters feel. Palhinha, who joined on loan from Bayern Munich, has been one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers this season. Yes, he plays within limits, but his role has often been to shield the back line, not act as the creative hub. With injuries robbing Frank of key midfielders like Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur’s full fitness, Spurs have been forced into using conservative combinations in the middle of the park. The bigger question might not be about individual talent, but about adaptation. Carragher himself touched on this, suggesting Frank’s pragmatic approach that was successful at Brentford hasn’t fully translated to a club expected to dominate possession. “When you watch the game at the weekend, that was like watching a League Two team against a Premier League team in the FA Cup,” Carragher added. “That’s the challenge for any coach stepping up from a smaller club to one of the big boys.” Frank Faces His First Big Test at Spurs For Frank, this was always going to be the challenge to reshape Tottenham’s DNA without losing the balance. The Dane has steadied the ship defensively and built a strong away record, but matches like this expose the need for more risk-taking and fluidity in midfield. Spurs fans know what their team is capable of, the 3-0 win over Everton showed their attacking potential when confidence flows. Despite Carragher’s critique, there’s still belief among supporters that Simons and Palhinha can grow into their roles once rhythm and partnerships settle. Spurs have talent, structure, and a manager unafraid to tweak tactics, what they need now is conviction. Carragher’s assessment may make headlines, but it overlooks the bigger picture. Tottenham are in transition under Thomas Frank — a new system, new personnel, and a manager still learning the nuances of leading a Big Six club. Criticising players adapting to that shift feels premature. Yes, Simons and Palhinha were too cautious, but they’re not the reason Spurs lost. What the Chelsea defeat truly highlighted was Tottenham’s growing pains, not a lack of quality. Once the team regains fluency and players like Sarr and Bentancur return, Spurs will look more like themselves again, front-foot, fearless, and ready to prove pundits wrong.
