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Josh Acheampong vs Maxence Lacroix – how the battle to be Levi Colwill’s partner should end
Maxence Lacroix of Chelsea
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The left-sided centre-back position at Chelsea is pretty much sorted and will be for the foreseeable future.
Levi Colwill currently occupies that spot and is only 23 years of age. He has admirers in the game, but Chelsea have no intention of selling Colwill to anyone.
However, assuming that Xabi Alonso continues using a back four, there are question marks surrounding the right-sided centre-back position. Statistically, Wesley Fofana played well against Manchester United in the role, but he still made two pretty bad errors in the first half and has been far from convincing overall this season.
Going forward, it should be a shootout between Josh Acheampong and Maxence Lacroix for the right centre-half spot. Acheampong has been playing as a right-back of late, but he is also comfortable at centre-back and has the profile to play there.
He is good on the ball and the right height to play as a centre-back in the Premier League, standing at 6’3″. So, if Fofana is phased out and it is a choice between Acheampong and Lacroix, who should be Colwill’s long-term partner?
As Chelsea supporters discussed the team’s best XI on TalkingPoints, one fan would rather see Lacroix play next to Colwill in central defence, preferring Acheampong at right-back.
Penders in goal. Josh for James and Lacroix in the middle next to Colwill
Lacroix was solid at Crystal Palace last season, and it may be unfair to drop him so soon after his £52m move from the Eagles. But Acheampong has a much higher ceiling, while there is nothing stopping him from being able to make an impact at the heart of Chelsea’s central defence right now.
This term, Acheampong has been making 3.25 tackles per 90 minutes, according to FotMob. That is higher than Lacroix’s average of 1.99.
Acheampong also has the kind of pace that is needed to recover, especially when playing in a high line. His top speed this season is 34.6 km/h.
Lacroix is no slouch either. He has a top speed of 32.9 km/h. However, the Frenchman is not the quickest defender when it comes to turning his body, nor is he the most mobile. Chelsea fans have been quite critical of that since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
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For now, Alonso will have to persist with Fofana in central defence, while Acheampong is another option, although he is needed at right-back for the time being. Lacroix is injured and will not be back until 2027.
Once Lacroix returns, Alonso could have a decision to make. Of course, any decision made could hinge on factors such as the system Chelsea are using at the time and the form of other defenders, as well as injuries. In the long-term, though, there are signs that Acheampong’s future is in central defence, likely next to Colwill.