Luis Palma: A Pragmatic Addition to Olympiacos' Attack | OneFootball

Luis Palma Announcement at Olympiacos: Giorgos Matthaios/EUROKINISSI

Olympiacos have secured Luis Palma on loan from Celtic with a €4 million buyout option, adding depth to their attacking ranks as they push for silverware. The move hasn’t been met with universal enthusiasm, particularly given the club’s previous links to the more dynamic Jhon Arias. But while Palma lacks the explosiveness and creativity of a marquee winger, he offers tactical discipline, goal contributions, and a set-piece threat—qualities that align with José Luis Mendilibar’s system.

What Palma Brings to Olympiacos

Palma isn’t a traditional winger who thrives on beating defenders in isolation. His acceleration is serviceable but not elite, and while he uses stepovers, they rarely translate into meaningful dribbles. Instead, his strengths lie in positioning, delivery, and finishing. He’s a player who thrives in structured attacking movements rather than chaotic one-on-one situations.

His goals tend to come in transitions, crosses from the opposite flank, and long-range strikes, while his assists have primarily been from accurate crosses and well-weighted through balls. At Celtic, he showed flashes of playmaking ability, but his effectiveness waned as his form dipped.

Defensively, Palma presses well in advanced areas but needs to show greater commitment to tracking back—something Mendilibar will demand from him.

How He Fits In

Olympiacos’ attack has lacked balance, with Gelson Martins the only consistently effective winger. Palma’s arrival provides a more structured alternative on the left, complementing Gelson’s dribbling ability with a more direct approach in the final third. He’s not a game-breaker but could be a valuable piece in a well-organised system.

His success will largely depend on whether he rediscovers his best form and adapts to Mendilibar’s pressing demands. But given his goal contribution rate and versatility, he represents a low-risk, potentially high-value signing for Olympiacos.

Final Verdict

Palma may not be the marquee signing fans envisioned, but he adds a different dimension to Olympiacos’ attack. If he settles quickly and embraces Mendilibar’s philosophy, he could emerge as a key contributor in the club’s domestic and European push.