Chelsea have strengthened their squad ahead of the new season with the signing of French defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal reportedly worth £51 million.
The centre-back has put pen to paper on a six-year contract, becoming the latest addition to the Blues’ busy summer recruitment drive.
The transfer pushes Chelsea’s spending beyond £250 million during the current transfer window, underlining the club’s continued investment as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
Lacroix also represents a notable shift in Chelsea’s recent recruitment strategy, becoming the first player aged 26 or older to join the club for a transfer fee since the summer of 2022. The London side is also expected to complete moves for experienced duo Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.
Speaking after sealing the move, Lacroix expressed his excitement about joining the Premier League giants and revealed that conversations with several Chelsea players helped convince him to make the switch.
“I think it’s the best move for me because it’s the best club in the world.
“I spoke with Malo [Gusto]. I spoke with Trev [Chalobah]. I spoke with Benoit [Badiashile]. It’s easy for people to speak well about this club because it has a lot of big history and I’m really proud to be a part of it now.”
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The 26-year-old also disclosed that a discussion with Chelsea’s manager played a key role in his decision, explaining that they quickly discovered they shared the same football philosophy and ambitions for the club.
“I spoke with the manager on the phone. We spoke about tactics, we spoke about how he sees the game. First of all, I was happy just to speak about football with him, and I saw that we have the same direction and desire for this club.”
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Lacroix added that recommendations from players he knows within both Chelsea and the French national team further reassured him that Stamford Bridge was the right destination for the next stage of his career.
“When I spoke with the gaffer, when I spoke also with the people I know from the national team who play for Chelsea, like Malo, they told me it was the best club I can go to.
“So already I was saying: “Okay, I don’t need to think too much”. After talking to people I said to myself: “This is the best step forward for me”.”
With his arrival now confirmed, Chelsea have added another experienced option to their defence as the club continues to reshape its squad, blending youthful talent with established players in a bid to compete strongly on all fronts this season.
Delighted to have you, @LacroixMaxence. 💙
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 30, 2026