Chelsea sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52 million
Why it matters: The 26-year-old defender is part of a shift toward more experienced signings after Chelsea finished 10th last season.
Chelsea signed France defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52 million on a deal running to 2032, adding one of the club’s main summer targets before Xabi Alonso’s first season in charge. Lacroix, 26, made 55 appearances last season as Palace won the Conference League and had become a regular after arriving from Wolfsburg in 2024. He also played three matches for France at the 2026 World Cup. The move comes as Chelsea retools after a 10th-place Premier League finish, with the club seeking more leadership and physicality in defense. Lacroix is among several summer arrivals as Chelsea reshapes the squad following supporter frustration over last season’s results.