Chelsea transfer news: Blues close in on £50m Lacroix as Alonso looks to fix broken backline
Chelsea transfer news: Chelsea have made their first major move of the summer. According to reports from TEAMtalk, backed up by Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are locked in direct talks with Maxence Lacroix’s representatives. Personal terms are being hashed out right now. Next comes the hard part: dealing with Crystal Palace.
The South Londoners don’t want to sell. Why would they? Lacroix still has three years left on his current contract at Selhurst Park, and Palace are already trying to tempt him with a bumper new deal to keep him sweet. It’s a massive ask. Palace have slapped a strict £50 million price tag on the 26-year-old Frenchman, a figure they feel reflects his status as one of their prized assets. Chelsea aren’t blinking, though. Word is the big centre-back wants the move. He feels ready for a step up after an absolute stormer of a season under Oliver Glasner, which culminated in a late ticket to France’s World Cup squad.
Why the Frenchman fits Alonso’s tactical blueprint?
Finishing 10th is bad enough for Chelsea, but shipping 52 goals? Disastrous. That’s a relegation-level defensive record.
You can blame the medical department to an extent. Levi Colwill managed just three league games before his ACL snapped in pre-season. Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile, and Tosin Adarabioyo spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch. It killed any chance of consistency.
Alonso wants a back three. Specifically, a 3-4-2-1. For that to work, you need absolute giants who can actually play football. You need an aggressive, dominant monster to anchor the trio.
Lacroix is exactly that.
He is 6ft 4in of pure muscle and composure. He reads the game beautifully. Last season, he averaged 1.75 tackles, 1.31 interceptions, and a massive 7.35 clearances per 90 minutes. Those are elite numbers in the toughest league in the world.
Palace bought him from Wolfsburg for a measly £18 million in 2024. Now he is worth nearly three times that. Is £50 million steep? Yes. But it’s worth the gamble.
The guy is a winner. He started the FA Cup final against Manchester City. He marshalled the defence for 90 minutes when Palace lifted the Conference League trophy against Rayo Vallecano. He’s got the metal.
Read: AC Milan want to sign Chelsea star; Xabi Alonso wants €60m
Chelsea’s squad doesn’t lack technical ability. It lacks robust, reliable characters who show up every Saturday. Lacroix played 35 league matches last year. He stays fit. He performs. Stamford Bridge needs that stability, and they need it now.
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