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Maxence Lacroix news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Maxence Lacroix, Chelsea's £52 million defender, is set to start against Fulham on Monday.
His debut marks the start of a season where Chelsea expects him to anchor.
Background
Lacroix moved from Crystal Palace to Chelsea in the summer of 2026 for a reported £52 million, making him a key signing. He joined late to pre-season after helping France reach the World Cup semi-finals. He played in a friendly against Real Sociedad and is now expected to make his competitive debut in the Premier League opener.
How it unfolded
- Summer 2026Lacroix transferred from Crystal Palace to Chelsea for £52 million.
- Aug 2026He featured in a pre-season friendly win over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.
- Aug 24, 2026Predicted to start in Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Lacroix expressed excitement for the 'beautiful season' and his readiness to play in both back three and back four.
- Analysts
- Analysts consider Lacroix Chelsea's most important signing, a veteran defender to build the back line around.
Still unverified
The £52 million fee is reported but not officially confirmed by the club.