Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea’s summer signing Maxence Lacroix does not look “comfortable” playing in Xabi Alonso’s system. The French defender joined the Blues from Crystal Palace for a reported £52 million in the summer, but has struggled to adapt to the new head coach’s tactical demands.
Lacroix's Strengths in a Back Three
Alonso has implemented a style of play at Stamford Bridge that relies on a three-man central defence that can shift into a four-strong backline during matches. Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports show the Overlap’s fan debate, suggested Lacroix’s strengths lie solely in playing in a three-man defence, pointing to the ex-Wolfsburg centre-half’s difficulties when Chelsea switch shape.
“I look at the signing of Maxence Lacroix, and I really liked him at Crystal Palace in a back three,” Carragher said. “But I was watching (Chelsea) against Tottenham and in other games this season, and I was seeing him pressing man-to-man, and everyone was jumping out, and he just didn’t look comfortable to me, or mobile enough to be in a back four and jumping out of man-to-man marking and jumping out to James Maddison.”
Chelsea's Defensive Frailties
Chelsea have scored 25 goals in 10 games under Alonso, but blanked for the first time this season in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham. The Blues have recorded just one clean sheet this term, against League One Luton Town in the Carabao Cup, and have conceded 18 goals, averaging two per game.
Carragher feels Chelsea’s defence remains unresolved despite Lacroix’s arrival, stating that the club needs to find a defender to build around. “It just feels to me when I look at the defenders, I think I’ve said this a lot, if you look at every defender, they’re the same, six out of ten, seven out of ten,” he added. “There’s still not got that somebody you build your defence around or who can hold it all together. It just looks very average.”
Upcoming Carabao Cup Clash
Goals at both ends are expected this evening as Chelsea visit Liverpool in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Andoni Iraola’s Reds have scored 28 goals in 12 appearances while conceding 16 times.
