Chelsea are making determined moves in an attempt to repair a fragile defence, and that urgency has led them straight to Maxence Lacroix. The Blues have become the strongest contender for the Crystal Palace defender’s signature, with talks progressing positively this week. They are said to be convinced the 26-year-old centre-back would add the height and physicality their backline so desperately lacked last season.
The Frenchman, who is a formidable 1.90 metres tall, has established himself as a dominant presence in the air in English football. Xabi Alonso will probably play with a back-three, and Lacroix has many of the attributes to thrive there, such as aggression, physicality, athleticism and defensive authority. Chelsea were a hugely disappointing side, finishing in 10th last season, conceding 52 league goals in a campaign where they struggled regularly to defend set pieces and counterattacks.
Lacroix has settled in impressively since arriving at Selhurst Park, signing from Wolfsburg for £18m on a five-year contract in August 2024. He has played 70 Premier League games in two full campaigns, helping the Eagles win the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League. The defender has an estimated market value of around €50 million and is under contract with Palace until June 2029.
Reports suggest the centre-half is now very much open to a move across the capital, so personal terms shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Chelsea are already close to wrapping up a deal for Atalanta wing-back Marco Palestra, and Lacroix will be the next big signing. But the Eagles are under no financial pressure to move the 26-year-old.
Chelsea Eyeing Larger Defensive Overhaul Than Maxence Lacroix Chase
Lacroix is just one piece of a much bigger reshuffle being planned within the Chelsea defensive ranks this summer. Progress has been made on what could be a brilliant triple defensive deal, sources say. Besides Lacroix and Palestra, the Blues have also taken a shine to a Spanish defender whose rights are still partly owned by Real Madrid.
Last term injuries tore through the Chelsea backline, with a number of first-choice options spending long spells on the treatment table. Levi Colwill only made four Premier League appearances after a cruciate ligament tear, and Wesley Fofana missed games for a variety of reasons. Tosin Adarabioyo’s calf and hamstring problems restricted him to just 16 league appearances, with Benoît Badiashile managing only eight.
Chelsea are hoping to refresh and rebalance the squad before the window closes, with a number of established names now looking available. It is understood that Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Badiashile and Axel Disasi are all on the market. The Blues will be hoping fresh, strong additions can finally bring some stability to a position that consistently proved their undoing.