…his own style of play: I'd describe myself as an attack-minded full-back. I love getting the long diagonal passes from the centre out onto my left flank and then taking the ball with me to provide a goal threat up front.
…areas of his game he wants to work on in the coming weeks and months: I'm still very young and I can learn a lot: I'm aware of that. I can see room for improvement in certain situations in defence – and in terms of heading ability. Clearing the ball at the back isn't a problem. But I think I can pose more of a threat in attack, for example at corners. I've never scored with my head. (He laughs)
…his last season at Paris Saint-Germain where he played 40 games for the top French club: I played a lot under Thomas Tuchel (head coach at PSG up to December 2020, ed.). I played alongside the best players in the world in Paris and was on the training ground with them every day. I was able to pick up a lot, for example from players like Thiago Silva. Now I'm happy to be here and I want to play my part in this club's success.
…his targets with and at Bayer 04: I want to win every game if possible and play for the club in the Champions League. My aim is to be on the pitch week by week and help the team as much as I can.
…his impression of Germany's top flight: The Bundesliga is a great league with a higher intensity than in France. Every game is hard-fought and there's plenty of competition. I'm really looking forward to finally getting started in a few weeks time.
…the team structure within the Werkself : The first days were great fun. Everybody made it as easy as possible for me and explained how things work. I know Daley (Sinkgraven, ed.) from my time at Ajax and I played alongside Jeremie (Frimpong) in the youth national team. They helped me a lot as well. All the lads make me feel great and I can hardly wait to be on the pitch with them in the Bundesliga.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
Show more
After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
Show more
When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
Show more
To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
Show more
