Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Chelsea's bid to land a Premier League centre-back this summer. The Blues have been steadily working on new arrivals and so far, it seems the priority is the defence, with Xabi Alonson hoping to add a new full-back on each side, as well as a centre-back.
The Blues lost Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid earlier in the window, and it has long been the case that they need another high-level centre-back. Enzo Maresca begged for one, leading to his rift with the board, while Liam Rosenior did not get any further in convincing them in the January window.
Alonso has more sway, having come in demanding new signings to even sign his contract, and the Blues do look as hey will, at least somewhat, compromise on their youth-focused recruitment strategy this summer.
Chelsea still pushing for Maxence Lacroix deal
Lacroix
Chelsea's main centre-back target in this window is Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, who has stood out in the Eagles defence. Lacroix is another player Palace seemingly plucked from nowhere, correctly identifying the defender as a huge talent.
The 26-year-old is coming off a superb season, and he is one of two players currently representing France at this World Cup, while former Palace star Michael Olise is also there.
But trying to sign a Palace player is no fun at all for recruitment chiefs. The Selhurst Park side are notoriously tough negotiators, and they refuse to be pushed around by big clubs. Palace notably canceled a Marc Guehi to Liverpool transfer even after the medical because they did not manage to get cover in in time.
Regardless of what the player wants, Palace are not going to sell any of their key players without first signing a replacement, and that is the case with Lacroix, according to Romano.
"Then for Chelsea, at the moment, we have to be patient in terms of a replacement," he said on his YouTube show. "Crystal Palace will let their top players go only when and if they believe the fee is right and they have a replacement. That is going to be the case with Chelsea and Lacroix, and they are pushing to sign Lacroix."
How good is Lacroix?
Maxence Lacroix
During Lacroix's first season in the Premier League, Oliver Glasner spoke about the defender's early display of his leadership qualities. He said: "It took him a little bit of time at the beginning. A new environment, with new players. He's highly accepted in the dressing room. He speaks together with Chris (Richards) and with Marc (Guehi). These three, of course, have played together for most of the games and they built a unit, and he's very important to this, together with Dean (Henderson) in the back.
"He's a leader, but I still think that he has the potential to improve in every part (of his game). But it's his first Premier League season, so nobody should forget he's still 24, I think, turning 25 soon. He's quite young for his Premier League season and I think he's doing an amazing job for us. I'm sure that he will make steps forward over the next years."
A year later, Glasner spoke of Lacroix and highlighted his rapid progress, adding: "He plays incredible, so consistent. The level he is showing is really high and we can rely on him."
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