One of Chelsea’s priorities during this transfer window is thought to be signing a new central defender.
Chelsea currently possess the likes of Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah and Jorrel Hato, just to name a few of their options.
However, the majority of their centre-backs failed to convince last season, while Hato could be moved to the left-back position following Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid.
Everything is now pointing towards Chelsea signing a new centre-half, and they are currently being linked with one Premier League talent.
If Chelsea signed Marquinhos, where would you rank him among the Premier League’s top centre-backs?
Chelsea signing Maxence Lacroix for just £40m would be a bargain
In March, it was reported that Chelsea have been monitoring Maxence Lacroix, and it appears that they could now make a move for the Crystal Palace defender.
Journalist Simon Phillips has claimed on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that the Blues definitely have an interest in the Frenchman.
According to Phillips, talks could begin at £40m. If Chelsea end up signing Lacroix for £40m or even £50m, there is no doubt that the transfer would be one of the deals of the summer.
Lacroix has plenty of Premier League experience and is a very solid defender who knows how to deal with danger.
Last season, Lacroix made 7.2 clearances per game in the English top flight. Bar Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who also had an average of 7.2, no other player was making more clearances than the France international, according to WhoScored.
Lacroix also won 3.4 aerial duels per game, which was the highest average in Palace’s squad. Simply put, Lacroix is an aerially dominant centre-half who does not mess around.
At 26, his addition would be very helpful given how young Chelsea’s current players are. They are missing having a seasoned pro like Lacroix in central defence.
Maxence Lacroix’s stance on joining Chelsea
Before the end of last season, it was reported that Lacroix is open to joining Chelsea. Whether that remains the case following the club’s failure to qualify for European football remains to be seen.
If Lacroix remains at Palace, he will get to play in the Europa League next term after Palace’s triumph in the Conference League.
Chelsea cannot even offer him football in either of those competitions. But if the former Wolfsburg man is still willing to come to them, they have to try to agree some sort of deal, as he is a brilliant centre-back.
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