Maxence Lacroix has signed a six-year contract at Chelsea, tying him to the club until 2032, after the two Premier League clubs agreed a £52million transfer fee. The 26-year-old France international informed Crystal Palace of his desire to seek a fresh challenge at the end of last season.
Lacroix, who made three appearances for France at the World Cup, is one of seven new arrivals at Chelsea this summer. Morgan Rogers, Geovany Quenda, Marco Palestra, Emmanuel Emegha, Danny Welbeck and Valentin Barco have also been added to Xabi Alonso's squad in recent weeks.
Cahill: 'Really smart signing'
‘He’s a great player and it’s a really smart signing,’ former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill said of Lacroix in an interview with the club’s official website. ‘I think he’s at a great age now as well and he’s had that experience of playing regularly in the Premier League. There’s still plenty of years ahead of him to progress and learn. And to come to a club like Chelsea, it gives him that platform to kick on. He’s obviously been involved at the World Cup with the French national team and he’s put himself on that platform and into that sort of pedigree now. But again, similar to when I moved to Chelsea, you get that opportunity to take your career to the next level.’
He added: ‘I just think he’s a great player, it’s a really good signing, and a move that I’m sure he’s really looking forward to getting stuck into and aiming to hit the ground running. I was at Palace for a couple of years, and I enjoyed my time there. He’s done the same and he’s progressed while he’s been there. It’s a big move for him, but also for the club and it will be exciting to see him come through the door and get started here.’
Pre-season absence
Lacroix did not feature in Chelsea’s two opening pre-season fixtures against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham but is reportedly hoping to join up with Alonso’s squad over the coming days. The former Palace and Wolfsburg centre-half will be desperate to get some serious minutes in his legs in advance of the new Premier League season, which starts away to local neighbours Fulham on August 24.
Morris urges caution
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris said he was not surprised to see the club pursue a move for Lacroix given his form under Oliver Glasner at Palace last season. However, Morris was slightly concerned by what he saw of Lacroix at the World Cup, especially in France’s matches against Spain and England. ‘I thought Lacroix did great for Crystal Palace last year in a back three, but playing for Palace and Chelsea are two different things,’ Morris, who served as Frank Lampard’s assistant at Chelsea from 2018 to 2021, explained. ‘I didn’t think he played well for France. I was telling my friends that I would be interested to see how he does in a back four, because I’ve only ever seen him in a three. He had a very poor game against Spain and I didn’t think he was great against England either, where they conceded six goals.’
Morris stopped short of writing Lacroix off as a signing, but stressed the centre-back would have to raise his level. ‘He could suit the team, but I’m intrigued to see how Alonso sets us up,’ Morris added. ‘I hope he doesn’t perform like that all the time if we are going for him.’
