With the Premier League season now over, it’s over to Chelsea to build Xabi Alonso a squad that he can really challenge with in the next campaign.
Xabi Alonso has an immense job on his hands at Chelsea, a reality laid bare by a bruising final-day defeat to Sunderland. Travelling to the Stadium of Light with European qualification hanging in the balance, Chelsea were brutally exposed.
Cole Palmer offered a temporary lifeline, but Wesley Fofana’s subsequent red card completely stifled any hopes of a comeback, condemning Chelsea to a 2-1 defeat. Compounding the misery, this loss sealed a damaging seasonal double for Sunderland over the Blues.
For Alonso, watching from afar before officially taking the reins, this capitulation highlighted the massive rebuild required.
Who is to blame for our shambolic defence this season? 😡
No clean sheet in our final game vs Sunderland 🤦♂️
Chelsea's clean sheets record this season
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Maxence Lacroix set to leave Crystal Palace
According to Fabrice Hawkins, Maxence Lacroix was set to play his final match at Selhurst Park this afternoon against Arsenal.
A transfer for the Crystal Palace center-back is scheduled. There are no discussions with the Eagles to extend his contract, with several Premier League clubs interested.
Interestingly, it has been claimed that Lacroix would be interested in joining Chelsea in the summer, as he looks to make the next step in his career.
This comes after a season that has seen him establish himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League, showcasing his power and pace to keep the best of attackers quiet.
After that awful performance against Sunderland, which players do Chelsea need to get rid of this summer? 😡
Chelsea player ratings vs Sunderland
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images
Maxence Lacroix is perfect for Chelsea
Maxence Lacroix is the ideal profile to anchor Chelsea’s defence and spearhead Xabi Alonso’s revolution.
At 26 years old, the French international strikes the perfect balance between peak physical maturity and top-flight experience. Crucially, Lacroix thrives in a high-tempo, high-line defensive system, possessing the recovery speed that clocked in at an astonishing 35.39 km/h.
Furthermore, Lacroix addresses Chelsea’s persistent fragility in the air, ranking in the 95th percentile for aerial duels won. His exceptional comfort on the ball allows him to build play cleanly from the back, a non-negotiable requirement for Alonso’s possession-heavy style.
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