One of the best things a player can do year-over-year when it comes to professional sports, is improve. It sounds easy, but often times we see players, for one reason or another, sometimes stay stagnant, or even regress. Even if its just small improvements, whether it be an improvement in passing, getting better at finding positioning on set pieces, doing better to defend the counter, you want to see players take steps forward year after year. One player who did just that in 2024, was LAFC defender, Sergi Palencia.
¡Vamos Sergi! 👏
What a performance from Sergi Palencia 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/7qrRX4h9ot
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 6, 2024
Palencia improved across the board in 2024 when compared to his first season with the club in 2023. The Spanish defender saw a lot more playing time this season, establishing himself as a pillar at the back and a player the club could rely on. Making 30 appearances with 26 starts in the MLS regular season, Palancia tallied 2300 minutes, finished the season with 84% passing success rate ( a 4% improvement on last season), and doubled his assist tally finishing with four services this year.
The summer is when the defender really broke out, putting together an outstanding run of form from late June through early October. He secured two LAFC Player of The Month awards for his contributions and even had several highlight reel moments, included one against Western Conference rivals Seattle Sounders. The defender was the last line of defense in securing the clean sheet, and as true great defenders do, he come up huge with a headed clearance off the line to keep the clean sheet.
Clean Sheet Secured 🔒
Sergi Palencia capped off another great performance with a goal-line save 🚫 pic.twitter.com/xCO74EzJWP
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 21, 2024
Palencia finished the season with just under 48% aerial duel win rate, coming away with 40 aerial duels won, as well as 12 clearances and nearly tripling his fouls with 51 on the season. Beyond the stats, it was his physical presence mixed with agile ability that really stood out. A center back who was good on the ball, capable of putting on a great pass, but also able to get back in defense and help secure the goal.
As we said, the best thing a player can do is improve on a yearly basis, and 2025 is no different for Palancia. There has been a lot of change and turnover in defense, and that could mean even more responsibility put on the shoulders of the Spaniard. That said, given what we saw from him last season, he is a player that can handle that weight and then some. If he can put together a season that even slightly improves on last year, we could be looking at a player ready to establish himself not just as one of the best in the club, but as one of the best in the league.
Thoughts on Sergi Palencia in 2024? Leave a comment below!