Chelsea transfer target Maxence Lacroix crashed out of the World Cup on Tuesday evening with France suffering a painful semi-final defeat to Spain in Dallas
Since Chelsea have started being linked with Maxence Lacroix, there have not been too many opportunities for Blues supporters to see the Frenchman in action.
Despite being part of France’s World Cup squad, the 26-year-old defender has very much been playing understudy to the likes of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba. Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps has stuck with his centre-back pairing for every game – bar one: the dead rubber against Norway on June 26.
Lacroix was given a start on that day and the Crystal Palace defender helped France to a comfortable 4-1 victory against the Norwegians. In terms of minutes on the pitch, however, Lacroix was rusty and that is what made the challenge of coming on in the first half of a World Cup semi final even more difficult on Tuesday evening.
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Less than half an hour into France’s last-four defeat to Spain in Dallas, Saliba could not take any further part and Lacroix was given his instructions before entering the pitch. Les Bleus, the favourites going into the semi final, were being dominated at the time – virtually in every aspect.
Just seven minutes prior to Lacroix being given his orders, Mikel Oyarzabal had given the Spaniards the advantage from the penalty spot after Lucas Digne booted Lamine Yamal inside the box. However, many tipped France to bite back with the attacking talent on the pitch.
Spain continued to control the game. When they had the ball, they looked assured – in typical Spain fashion – in possession and France were unable to make them crack with their fierce high press.
With that said, it was unsurprising when Spain doubled their advantage just before the hour-mark. There were plenty in French colours you could point your finger at. Lacroix, unfortunately, is one of them.
The Frenchman was caught ball watching as Pedro Porro beared down on goal and beat Mike Maignan with an accomplished finish into the bottom corner. Lacroix was in no man’s land and that led to a backlash online from Chelsea supporters, who questioned why the club are targeting the defender this summer.
From Chelsea’s point of view, one bad game – even on the biggest stage – is unlikely to change their perception and fondness of Lacroix. Blues scouts spent the whole 2025/26 season watching Lacroix, week in and week out, as he impressed with Crystal Palace.
Those with longer-term memories will be hoping Chelsea’s pursuit of Lacroix begins to heat up. It’s been a few weeks without any sort of real update on whether the Blues will be signing the former Wolfsburg centre back.
Lacroix is said to be open to moving to Stamford Bridge but no fee has been agreed yet with Palace, who will not let the defender leave on the cheap given he has three years remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park. It has been reported elsewhere that the Eagles could hold out for £70million for the centre-back.
There is hope that the Eagles will ease their stance when it comes to Lacroix if and when they can land one or two more defensive targets. Palace never replaced Marc Guehi when he left to join Manchester City in January but have since added Oscar Mingueza on a free transfer.
It seems, though, Palace are not done there; with Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima reportedly an option for the London club. Charlie Cresswell is appreciated also but the Englishman, who plays for Toulouse, looks set to be staying in France with Rennes.
Chelsea are looking for a long-term defensive partner for Levi Colwill, who is someone at the front and centre of BlueCo’s vision in SW6. Lacroix is not the only option being considered, sources say, with Como defender Jacobo Ramon another name on a sizeable list of targets.
