Chelsea endured a deeply disappointing seeason in 2025/26. Failing to win a single trophy (no, the 2025 Club World Cup doesn’t count), they also finished 10th in the Premier League table, beneath the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford.
To improve upon their station, the Blues are looking to bolster their defence ahead of next season. They’ve recently been linked with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix, following reports that they are looking to sell Trevoh Chalobah in the summer [via Evening Standard].
According to Fabrizio Romano on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, he claimed that Chelsea have ‘started talks’ in an attempt to sign the player. He also mentioned that they could sign another centre-back in the ongoing transfer window and are working on ‘several options’.
While Chelsea’s interest is apparent, they are not the only team in the race. The Daily Mail claims that Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid are ‘admirers’ of the the French international, while Romano himself also stated that Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be in the mix on his podcast.
Maxence Lacroix 2025/26 Premier League stats
Games Goals Assists Yellow Cards Red Cards
M. Lacroix 35 1 2 4 1
Maxence Lacroix had a difficult task on his hands in the latter half of the previous Premier League season. With Marc Guehi having departed the club to join Manchester City, it was up to him and Chris Richards to fill the gaps left behind by one of the best defenders in the world.
Upon Guehi’s departure, Palace kept just three clean sheets in the Premier League from their last 11 games. They did, however, win the Europa Conference League at the conclusion of the campaign – to say that they completely fell apart in the England star’s absence would be unfair.
In truth, the Eagles had been on a downward trajectory long before Guehi left the club, given the unrest between Oliver Glasner and the Palace board. Lacroix was simply tasked with making the best of a bad situation – all in all, we would say he did a respectable job under the circumstances.
What would Maxence Lacroix bring to Chelsea?
An all-action centre-back with plenty of pace and physicality, not to mention solid fundamentals on the ball, Lacroix is an excellent defender to have in the modern game.
He reads the game very well, being able to intercept through balls and make crucial tackles. On top of this, he is also a powerful presence in the air. He can be a little rash at times – his decision-making isn’t the best and is perhaps a little too clumsy when it comes to avoiding fouls.
With that being said, Chelsea are desperate to build upon their current backline at the moment. Players such as Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Beniot Badiashile are shy of the required standard, while Levi Colwill seems to be too injury prone to be a reliable option.
Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong are both centre-back options, but they are still developing players, both being just 20 years of age. On top of this, neither of them are natural centre-halves. Chelsea need to make signings at the back – and in their current position, they cannot afford to be picky, either.