Coach Xabi Alonso wants to build a Chelsea rich in personality and bravery, and Maxence Lacroix is considered a name suitable for that philosophy.
The French center-back has agreed to sign a 6-year contract to join Chelsea from Crystal Palace. Not only impressing with expertise, Lacroix is also highly appreciated for his leadership qualities.
Coach Oliver Glasner once brought Lacroix from Wolfsburg to Crystal Palace after working together in the Bundesliga. At Selhurst Park, the French center-back quickly became a key factor in the most successful period in club history.
In addition to his sense of humor, Lacroix is also a very religious person. He once called himself a "master" when joining Crystal Palace and often organizes prayer sessions before each training session for team members who need to participate.
Not only playing a connecting role off the field, Lacroix is also outstanding with his leadership ability on the field. He is always ready to direct, remind teammates and is not afraid to speak up regardless of who the opponent is.
That is also the quality that Alonso wants to add to Chelsea, a team that is considered to lack real leaders in the dressing room.
Before the FA Cup championship journey with Crystal Palace in 2025, Lacroix once shared: "I have always been a leader both on and off the field. In a team with many strong personalities, you have to show yourself more and I like that".
Besides leadership qualities, Lacroix is also famous for his professionalism. He hires personal trainers to build training plans, nutrition and scientific sleep regimes. Before each match, the French center-back also works with the coaching staff to carefully analyze opponents to find advantages in head-to-head situations.
Meticulous preparation helps Lacroix become one of the best one-on-one defensive center-backs in the Premier League in recent seasons.
The Blues believe that Lacroix is a combination of Premier League experience and long-term development potential. Lacroix possesses speed, strong tackling ability and is very suitable for proactive defensive style.
More importantly, his appearance is a sign that Alonso is likely to apply the 3-defender system that helped Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga with an unbeaten record.
Lacroix once played very successfully in the center-back position in the three-defender formation under Oliver Glasner. Chelsea's simultaneous pursuit of full-back Marco Palestra further strengthens the team's new tactical direction.
To make room for new players, Chelsea is expected to part ways with some defenders this summer. However, Lacroix is expected to quickly take a starting spot alongside Levi Colwill when the new season begins.
Currently, the French center-back is still on leave after reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup with the French national team. However, when gathering at Cobham, Chelsea will welcome not only a quality center-back but also a personality leader, ready to make his mark under the Xabi Alonso era.
