Manchester City Looking To Replace Their Former Leeds Star: Good Decision From Guardiola? | OneFootball

According to a report from Manchester Evening News, it appears that Manchester City are planning to secure the services of Exequiel Palacios in the upcoming January transfer window. This prospective move is likely to signal the conclusion of Kalvin Phillips’ tenure with the Etihad club. Exequiel Palacios, a 25-year-old midfielder, is currently plying his trade for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and was a member of the Argentina national team that clinched the World Cup title in Qatar last winter.

Palacios’ Impressive Run Of Form For Bayer Leverkusen

Palacios is enjoying a commendable season with the German club, marked by a string of impressive displays in their midfield core. This South American talent has notched two goals and provided a couple of assists in 12 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen across various competitions this season.

The 25-year-old has made a positive impact in both defensive and offensive aspects, as reflected in his average statistics of 2.2 tackles, 2.0 interceptions, 0.7 clearances, 0.7 shots, 1.4 key passes, and 0.7 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga. Additionally, his proficiency in ball distribution from the midfield is evident, with an impressive 91.9% completion rate of his attempted passes in the German top flight (data sourced from whoscored).

Palacios’s existing deal with the German club is set to conclude in the summer of 2028. Consequently, Manchester City will need to make a significant bid should they aim to secure his services in the upcoming January transfer window. However, the potential sale of Kalvin Phillips could provide the necessary financial resources for Manchester City to make a move for Palacios.

Is the Manchester City Manager’s Choice to Target This Bundesliga Prospect as Phillips’ Replacement a Wise Decision?

Palacios excels in ball-winning, displaying adept tackling skills and the ability to make crucial interceptions in the heart of the midfield. When the situation demands it, he’s not hesitant to clear the danger and possesses the vision to craft promising opportunities in the final third.

This Argentine talent can deliver powerful and accurate long-range shots and showcases an energetic style of dribbling.

While Palacios primarily operates as a box-to-box midfielder, he is versatile and can adapt to roles as a holding midfielder or even as an attacking midfielder, depending on the team’s needs.

Adding Palacios to the squad under the guidance of Manchester City’s head coach, Pep Guardiola, appears to be a promising move. His attributes position him as a strong contender for a consistent starting role at the Etihad Stadium. At 25 years old, the Argentine’s peak years are yet to come, making him a compelling replacement option for Kalvin Phillips.