Chelsea signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a £52m deal as Xabi Alonso's side continue their summer spending
17:02, 30 Jul 2026
Former Chelsea assistant manager Jody Morris has voiced concerns about the club signing Maxence Lacroix.
The Blues confirmed on Thursday that they have signed the centre-back on a permanent deal from Crystal Palace after agreeing on a £52million fee.
Lacroix has become the third new signing completed by Chelsea this summer, following the arrivals of Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra, meaning the Blues have now completed more than £200m worth of business.
Xabi Alonso is currently preparing for his first season as Chelsea's new manager and is with the squad for their pre-season tour in Australia.
With Lacroix now confirmed as a new signing for Chelsea, Morris has expressed concerns about what tactics the Blues could use in order to get the best out of the defender.
"I thought Lacroix did great for Crystal Palace last year in a back three. Playing for Palace and Chelsea are two different things,” Morris told Boyle Sports.
“I didn't think he played well for France. I was telling my friends that I would be interested to see how he does in a back four, because I've only ever seen him in a three.
"He had a very poor game against Spain and I didn't think he was great against England either, where they conceded six goals.
“Playing in a four is totally different. If we are going to play a three, he could suit the team, but I'm intrigued to see how [Xabi] Alonso sets us up.
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"Is he someone with Premier League experience? Has he produced and performed in the Premier League at a high level? Absolutely. So if we are going to play a three, he could suit.
"If we are going to play a four, I hope he doesn't perform like that all the time if we are going for him. He has had two great seasons at Palace, but as I said, Palace and Chelsea are two different things."
Alonso was recently asked about the potential addition of Lacroix , with the Chelsea manager speaking before the club confirmed the transfer.
"We want to build a competitive team,” Alonso recently said.
"We are in that process. We have great quality, great talent, and we need to know what it takes to compete in the Premier League. We want a squad with the right balance between quality and mentality.
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"Those things need to match in terms of maturity stage, where you are in your career, the moment that this point is coming for each player, the hunger, the desire, the commitment. But I think that we are starting in a new season with good energy. That's important."
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