Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea fans will get to see new signing Maxence Lacroix play in a competitive match for the club for the first time on Monday.
The Blues travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in their opening Premier League fixture, and the 26-year-old is expected to start.
Lacroix, who joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace in a £52m deal earlier this summer, is set to line up in central defence. But whether he plays in a back three or back four remains to be seen.
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In pre-season, Xabi Alonso used both a 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1, so it looks like the new Chelsea manager will be flexible this term.
Whatever formation Alonso employs, Lacroix will be happy, with the central defender having experience playing in a back three and back four.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official club website, Lacroix said: “I’ve played back three and I’ve played back four at Wolfsburg, at Palace and also in the national team. So for me it’s all right for both tactics.
“I think it’s important for any player to be able to play different ways. And also to understand how we want to play, that is always important for me.”
Rayo Vallecano and Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace battle for the ball
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If Chelsea do use a back four at Craven Cottage on Monday, Levi Colwill is the most likely candidate to partner Lacroix at the heart of defence. If it is a back three, either Jorrel Hato or Reece James could join Colwill and Lacroix in the starting XI.
Wesley Fofana is suspended after getting sent off in Chelsea’s final game of last season, a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Had the Frenchman been available, it is likely that he would have been the third central defender in Alonso’s potential back three.
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Fofana was a regular under the 44-year-old during pre-season and does not have any injury problems at the moment.
It is early days, but Lacroix and Chelsea will be looking to capitalise on the failures of some of their rivals this weekend. Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur lost, giving Alonso’s side an opportunity to finish the matchweek above the two teams. After Fulham, Chelsea host Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.