Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Arsenal are set to announce the £51m signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, just £1m less than the fee Chelsea paid to sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. So, who got the better deal?
There have been a few cases of Premier League centre-backs moving to other Premier League teams this summer. Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have joined Tottenham from Bournemouth and Brighton.
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Pascal Struijk left Leeds after eight years to replace van Hecke at Brighton. Lacroix has moved across the capital, going from South London to West London after his £52m move from Palace to Stamford Bridge.
Now, England star Konsa is about to complete a £51m move to Arsenal from Aston Villa. A move that sees the defender return to London having come through the academy at Brentford. But who is better?
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Lacroix and Konsa’s 2025-26 Premier League stats compared
There is no doubt that Lacroix and Konsa are among the best centre-backs in the Premier League. Before their moves to Chelsea and Arsenal, they would be considered among the best outside of the big clubs.
Indeed, both impressed last season. But who enjoyed the better season? Before comparing the stats, it is perhaps worth considering Aston Villa finished higher than Crystal Palace, enjoying more possession.
Konsa v Lacroix – Premier League stats 2025-26
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|Konsa v Lacroix 25-26|Konsa (Aston Villa)|Lacroix (Palace)|Winner|
|---|---|---|
|Appearances (Starts)|34 (34)|35 (35)|N/A|
|Minutes Played|3,035|3,087|N/A|
|Clean Sheets|8|11|Lacroix|
|Aerial duels won|32 (57.1%)|119 (61.3%)|Lacroix|
|Ground duels won|100 (67.1%)|204 (61.3%)|Konsa – more efficient|
|Tackles|22|60|Lacroix|
|Clearances|134|252 (3rd overall in PL)|Lacroix|
|Interceptions|23|45|Lacroix|
|Blocked Shots|29|18|Konsa|
|Overall FotMob rating|6.75|7.04|Lacroix|
Palace were often in a lot more battles and closer matches than Villa, though the Midlands club still had their fair share of a few tricky games. Clearly, the stats prove that Lacroix – as a defender – was better.
Lacroix is the better signing than Konsa; Chelsea bargain
With both players costing the same amount of money, it is quite clear that Chelsea have got the better signing – not least because Lacroix is two years younger than Konsa. In fact, Chelsea have got a bargain.
Konsa is a brilliant signing for Arsenal; there’s absolutely no doubt. A commanding centre-back who inspires a side with his leadership; his physical frame. But Konsa’s move highlights Chelsea’s bargain.
The Blues have got themselves a top signing in Lacroix, and the stats prove he is a bargain compared to Konsa. It will be interesting to see who has the better season, with both players joining bigger clubs.