Columbus Crew Reportedly Interested In Defender Malcom Palacios
Could the Crew be signing a new center-back?
The Columbus Crew are interested in center-back Malcom Palacios from Independiente Medellin, per Columbian journalist Juan Pablo Rua Jmenez.
The 20-year-old Columbian spent the second half of the 2024 season on loan in Columbia’s second division. Palacios appeared 15 times for Orsomarso SC, who finished 7th in the Clausura.
Before being loaned out, Palacios appeared in eight matches for Independiente Medellin in the Apertura. In those eight matches, Palacios recoreded five starts and 41 total minutes. Palacios ranked in the 98th ppercentile in successful passes per 90 amongst center-backs in Primera A Apertura. He also ranked in the 88th percentile in pass accuracy per 90, the 92nd percentile in long ball accuracy per 90, and was the top of the league in dribble success percentage.
Defensively, Palacios also ranked near the top of the league in many per 90 statistics. He ranked in the 89th percentile of tackles won and the 93rd percentile of duels won percentage per 90. His 4.97 recoveries per 90 also put him in the 86th percentile of center-bakcs.
Although it is in a limited sample size, Palacios seems like he would be a good fit in a Wilfred Nancy system. His confortability with the ball at his feet and to make accurate passes fits right into how Nancy wants his center-backs to play. Palacios also stands at 6’4”, which would add some much needed size to this Columbus Crew roster.
With up to three U-22 initiative spots open, could this be a target to occupy one of those tags? Or could this be a signing that sees more time woth the second team? Either way, this could be the signing that many crew fans have been hoping for, a tall and young defender.