Chelsea have completed our third major (and not already pre-agreed) move of the summer, signing Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for a reported £52m. The 26-year-old center back has put pen to paper on a six-year contract, with a club option for an additional, seventh year.
Lacroix arrives with a proven track record in the Premier League, having been ever present for Palace the last two years, and even helping them to two major, historic trophies during that time. He started both the UEFA Conference
League final last season and the FA Cup final the season before that, winning every time. In both of those games, he played as the central defender in a back-three, and one might imagine that he would play that same position if Xabi Alonso does switch to a similar setup.
But even if not, Lacroix’s arrival and the return of Levi Colwill after missing practically all of last season with an ACL injury, should provide for a very different but much improved look to our defense (even if one of Trevoh Chalobah or Wesley Fofana do end up leaving).
“I am really happy to be part of this beautiful club. Everyone knows the legend of Chelsea, its tradition of winning, and to be a part of that is a proud moment. When I spoke with the manager, I saw that we have the same direction and desire for this club.
“We want to win. When you see the quality of the players here, everything we have around the club, it’s something that we can achieve. The ambition is to lift trophies, and I can’t wait to contribute.”
-Maxence Lacroix; source: Chelsea FC
Welcome, Maxence, let’s indeed win some things!
