Maxence Lacroix of Chelsea during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge
Photo by Danehouse Photography Ltd/Getty Images
Chelsea spent £52 million on Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window to bring a physical presence and experienced leader to their defence. The Frenchman is an old-school defender, well suited to playing in the middle of Xabi Alonso’s back three.
Lacroix has made a reasonable start to life at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have still conceded 15 goals in nine Premier League matches. Questions have already been raised over whether the Blues could have spent that money more wisely elsewhere.
Chelsea legend Ricardo Carvalho’s comments on another highly rated Premier League defender offer an interesting perspective. The Chelsea Chronicle assesses whether the West London club should have gone all-in on Ezri Konsa.
READ MORE:Ricardo Carvalho predicts whether Chelsea’s 15-goal record or Arsenal’s Invincibles feat will be broken first
How confident are you that Chelsea can get the better of Sunderland? ⚽
Bluez win
Going to be quite the match. I think Chelsea will do well.
Ricardo Carvalho explains why he rates Ezri Konsa
Ricardo Carvalho has named Ezri Konsa as one of his favourite English defenders after watching him impress during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea earlier this season. The Gunners signed Konsa from Aston Villa for £55 million in the summer, slightly more than Chelsea paid Crystal Palace for Maxence Lacroix.
Carvalho knows what it takes to become an elite defender, having been part of the Chelsea backline that conceded a record-low 15 goals in the 2004/05 Premier League season. The former Portugal international’s praise for Konsa suggests Arsenal have secured an impressive signing.
Carvalho explained on The Obi One Podcast: “Do you want to know one player I like who’s English and just signed for Arsenal? [Ezri] Konsa. I think he’s good. He can have success at a big club. I saw the Arsenal-Chelsea game; there was a tackle he did… I like him.
“To be a very good defender, you have to like defending. If you see Ruben Dias, he likes to defend. He celebrates when he makes a tackle and I like those kinds of players.”
How Ezri Konsa compares to Maxence Lacroix
Chelsea paid slightly less for Maxence Lacroix than Arsenal spent on Ezri Konsa, but the early signs suggest the Blues may have missed a trick. Both defenders have started seven Premier League matches this season, although Lacroix is now facing a spell on the sidelines with a torn hamstring. However, his injury is not the reason Konsa looks like the better signing.
Konsa has been exceptional for Arsenal, who have conceded just five goals in nine league games, compared to Chelsea’s 15. The former Aston Villa defender has stepped in alongside Gabriel during William Saliba’s absence, and Arsenal have not looked any weaker.
Lacroix has been decent for Chelsea, but his mobility has not always been convincing. His half-hearted challenge on Mathys Tel allowed the Tottenham forward to score in the Blues’ recent 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Player Minutes Tackles Interceptions Blocks Passes WhoScored Rating
Maxence Lacroix 634 1.8 1.3 0.6 38.6 6.79
Ezri Konsa 611 1.9 1 0.5 44 7.04
2026/27 Premier League stats per 90 minutes via WhoScored
Lacroix’s and Konsa’s defensive numbers are fairly similar per 90 minutes, although Arsenal’s greater share of possession means the latter has less defending to do. However, his WhoScored rating of 7.04 is comfortably above Lacroix’s 6.79.
Konsa may return to the bench when Saliba is fully fit, whereas he could have been a guaranteed starter at Chelsea. Morgan Rogers chose the Blues over Arsenal after leaving Villa, and perhaps Konsa would have done the same had Xabi Alonso made him a priority.