Why Griezmann would dominate for LAFC, unlike some LA stars in MLS | OneFootball

The recurring transfer rumors connecting LAFC to French star Antoine Griezmann gained significant intensity Saturday after a report from Matteo Moretto at Relevo that talks on an MLS move had reached an advanced stage.

For some LAFC supporters, the revelation might not be as joyous as you might think, given how other recent European imports have fared in Los Angeles.

Gareth Bale scored the most important goal in LAFC's history to send the 2022 MLS Cup final to a penalty shootout they would win over Philadelphia for their second major trophy. But it was quite literally the only memorable moment he produced during a half-season with the Black-and-Gold, during which he played mainly as a substitute and rarely impacted the outcome of games positively.

Fast forward to 2025, and Olivier Giroud still hasn't scored in 13 MLS appearances (eight starts) despite being less than a year removed from a double-digit campaign in Serie A with AC Milan.

Across town, the LA Galaxy's Marco Reus is also taking heat for failing to pick up the slack in central midfield left by Rigui Puig's long-term absence with a torn ACL. And the Galaxy have also had a spotty history with other imports: While Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Chicharito were both productive individually, neither lifted their side to the level of perennial contending Galaxy fans expect.

But there's every reason to believe Griezmann would be a different kind of acquisition, one who adapts to MLS much more immediately and lifts those around him. While he won't be Lionel Messi -- nobody's Messi -- he will be a lot more like David Villa at New York City FC or Wayne Rooney at D.C. United, both signings that delivered the goods from Day 1, and in Villa's case for an extended run.

Here's 3 reasons why.

Griezmann's player profile

Despite being more known as an attacking player, one of Griezmann's defining characteristics on the field is his defensive work rate.

Even in his age-33 season, playing for an Atletico Madrid side that is more often a favorite than underdog, Griezmann rated in the top five percent among his position in interceptions and tackles per 90 minutes over the last year, accorrding to data from fbref.com.

That's exceptionally important in MLS for a couple reasons. For starters, the parity from game-to-game is higher in MLS play relative to the comparative strength of Atleti relative to its average La Liga opponent. In other words, even star attackers on top teams must do a bit more defending in MLS than in some domestic leagues.

Additionally, Griezmann will immediately walk into the LAFC dressing room and be considered a club leader, given his pedigree. And his behavior will undoubtedly influence the behavior of others. And LAFC in particular have become a side that often prefer to play without the ball, placing an increased importance on those workrate-adjacent traits.

Griezmann's club profile

FBL-ESP-LIGA-REAL SOCIEDAD-BARCELONA | AFP/GettyImages

While Griezmann has been a critical influence in buidling Atletico Madrid back into a perennial La Lagia contender and Champions League qualifier, the key word here is "building."

Atleti have had to struggle for everything they've earned, at least relative to the superior wealth and influence of crosstown rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Comparing that experience to LAFC is a lot more similar than it would be for someone coming from Madrid or Barca.

While Griezmann also had a brief spell at Barca, he spent his formative pro footballing years at Real Sociedad helping that club earn promotion and then achieve top-tier stability, while also playing alongside eventual LAFC star Carlos Vela (both pictured above).

While the Black-and-Gold are arguably the most consistent MLS team over the last five seasons, it is an achievement that has required both strong investment and exceptional return on that.

No one would've expected, for example, that Vela would put together the single greatest attacking season in MLS history when he had 34 goals and 15 assists in 2019. No one would've predicted Denis Bouanga would come in from Ligue 1 and become an MLS Golden Boot winner in his first full season.

This isn't to say LAFC aren't spending more money than the majority of their MLS foes -- they are. But they still have to fight for most of what they earn, a state of existence that Griezmann will find natural based on the rest of his club career.

He can fill multiple positions

One of the key featurs of LAFC's tatical setup under Steve Cherundolo is having players who can thrive in multiple positions.

Bouanga most often plays wide left, but can also play wide right or the No. 9 role. Newly acquired attacker Cengiz under can play on either flank or in the central attacking midfield role. And lat season, now-Cruz Azul attacker Mateusz Bogusz was LAFC's second most productive offensive player while rotaing between the role of false nine and wide man.

Griezmann fits that profile exceptionally as someone who has played primarily as a true center forward, but also wide left and as a second striker. It's a profile that would allow LAFC to continue to get use from all its attacking pieces -- even Giroud if he can find his form -- while keeping a rotation pattern that could allow all to contribute and avoid any being overused.