With Marco Palestra over the line and talks to secure Granit Xhaka ongoing, Chelsea have reportedly agreed a fee to sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.
Despite Chelsea’s wealth of options in the middle of their defence, Xabi Alonso has identified the need for a centre-back who can partner Levi Colwill at the back or even play in the middle of a defensive three.
What do you make of Chelsea’s interest in Maxence Lacroix?
It might be that Alonso plays a Reece James or a Trevoh Chalobah on the right of a three, with Colwill on the left and a new signing in the middle. That new signing looks as if it will be Palace’s Maxence Lacroix.
Reports emerged last week that Lacroix was a £50m target for Chelsea this summer. Now, it appears the Blues have agreed a fee for the Crystal Palace defender, and it solves a big problem for gaffer Alonso.
Why Maxence Lacroix solves a major Chelsea problem
One of Chelsea’s biggest problems last season was keeping clean sheets. The defence was far too leaky last season, conceding goals far too often, and it left Chelsea’s attackers with far too much work to do.
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A major reason for Chelsea conceding so many goals was the defence’s inability to prevent goals scored from crosses and set-pieces. The defence, without Colwill, was simply too weak to stop crosses going in.
Well, Colwill’s return helps solve that, and Lacroix simply ends that discussion. Last season, Lacroix made a whopping 252 clearances in the Premier League, the third-highest total in the entire Premier League.
Chelsea’s spending this summer with the arrival of Lacroix
Chelsea have raked in a £52m fee from the sale of Marc Cucurella, though it is believed £47.5m is the initial fee Chelsea have received. A further £4m has also come on board after Jimmy-Jay Morgan left.
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On top of that, Chelsea have pocketed £17m in compensation from Enzo Maresca’s appointment at Man City. That’s north of £70m raked in by the Blues, but deals for Palestra and Lacroix will go north of that.
A fee of £43m will be paid to Atalanta for Palestra, with add-ons expected on top of that. Lacroix is set to cost £46m, taking Chelsea’s spending to £89m. Talks for Granit Xhaka and Pep Chavarria are ongoing.
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