Exequiel Palacios
IPS
Center Midfielder
Deep-Lying Playmaker
Oct 5, 1998 (28)
Right
5'10"
152 lb
Starts against City
Palacios generated one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 3-2 defeat against Manchester City.
Analysis: Palacios was handed a starting role Saturday after a bench spot in the club's last contest, playing 90 minutes. He would be forced into more of a defensive role most of the match, recording one clearance, two interceptions and five tackles (three won) in the defense compared to his one chance created and a cross in the attack. He would add 52 completed passes, recording 50 or more passes in three of his four starts.
Leads midfielders in recoveries
Palacios has started three of Ipswich Town's last four Premier League matches in central midfield, and he ranks first among Premier League midfielders in ball recoveries per 90 minutes at 7.47.
Analysis: Palacios has quickly established himself as a defensive midfield anchor since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in a club-record deal in August, and his recovery numbers put him among the league's DEFCON leaders at the position. His tackling and ball-winning work has stood out even as Ipswich sit 11th with just two wins in five matches and 11 goals conceded. Coach Gary O'Neil will lean on his experience from Argentina's run to this summer's World Cup final as the club looks to tighten up defensively.
Four tackles in midfield
Palacios generated four tackles (two won) and two interceptions in Friday's 2-0 defeat against Liverpool.
Analysis: Palacios was tasked with slowing down the Liverpool midfield and he did passably well. The midfielder was busy shutting down wave-after-wave of attacks and causing issues for the Liverpool midfield. He didn't get a chance to get forward in a game that Liverpool controlled, but it was still a nice performance even in a loss.
Set for Ipswich debut
Palacios is expected to make his Ipswich debut in Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester United, according to coach Gary O'Neil. "I'm sure we'll see Exequiel on Sunday."
Analysis: Palacios is set for immediate involvement after completing his move from Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday. The Argentina international brings significant Bundesliga and international experience to Ipswich's midfield and should provide an important option with Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor unavailable. It remains to be seen whether Palacios is ready to start so soon after his arrival, but he should at least feature off the bench against Manchester United.
Joins Ipswich Town
Palacios has signed a contract with Ipswich Town until the summer of 2030 after leaving German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, the team announced Thursday.
Analysis: Palacios arrives as a balanced midfielder with European and international experience, having made 41 appearances for the Argentinian national team and been part of the squad that reached the final stage in each of the last two World Cups. Over the past year, he recorded just one assist but averaged 58.3 accurate passes and 1.5 tackles per game between Bundesliga and UCL action with Bayer. He'll put immediate pressure on Sasa Lukic, Marcelino Nunez and Florentino Luis (undisclosed) in his new team's rotation.
Spotted with Leverkusen
Palacios is back in training with Bayer Leverkusen to prepare for the new 2026/27 Bundesliga season, according to the club.
Analysis: Palacios made 18 Bundesliga appearances last season, totaling 1,097 minutes with one assist, a limited role due to injury interruptions, and capped his season with a strong World Cup run for Argentina, showing his defensive versatility across midfield and full back roles during the only outing he played against Jordan. His return to club training now shifts focus to preseason preparations as he looks to build on last season's contributions heading into the new 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign.
Logs five interceptions
Palacios had four tackles (zero won), three clearances and five interceptions in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Jordan.
Analysis: Palacios delivered the outstanding defensive performance of Saturday's 3-1 win over Jordan, registering five interceptions and four tackles across his 90 minutes as the right-back in Scaloni's rotated lineup, consistently cutting out Jordan's attempts to build through the flanks and limiting their attacking transitions throughout the match. The midfielder's five interceptions were the most of any player on the pitch from either side, and his versatility to operate at right-back with the defensive intensity he is known for from midfield makes him one of the most useful squad options Argentina carry into the knockout rounds.
Select Player
Search and select a player to compare