Lacroix joins Chelsea for £52m with a World Cup campaign behind him — and a story left to write
Chelsea sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52m. The French defender featured at the 2026 World Cup and puts pen to paper until 2032 under Xabi Alonso's project.
Maxence Lacroix arrived at Chelsea with the World Cup still fresh in his memory. The 26-year-old French centre-back has been signed from Crystal Palace for £52 million and has put pen to paper on a deal until 2032 at Stamford Bridge, according to BBC Sport.
The defender featured in three of France's matches at the 2026 World Cup — including the third-place play-off against England. Les Bleus finished the tournament in fourth place.
Lacroix's path to Chelsea ran through Wolfsburg, from where Palace signed him in 2024 for around £15.5 million. Last season he established himself as a first-choice starter under Oliver Glasner, racking up 55 appearances and helping the club lift the Conference League — Crystal Palace's first European trophy.
Now the next step is the Blues' ambitious project under Xabi Alonso. Lacroix made no attempt to hide his excitement: "I just want to start playing," said the defender, who also spoke of his pride at being part of "a beautiful project".
He is Chelsea's third signing of this window, following Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra. Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha, both agreed earlier in 2025, also formalised their arrivals this month.
Golmetria's model puts France at just a 1.32% chance of winning the next World Cup — a figure that contrasts sharply with market odds, which imply a considerably higher probability. For Lacroix, though, the focus is now elsewhere: building something big in London before thinking about revenge with the national team.
"I feel like we have a story to write here," the defender said. Whether Alonso's Chelsea truly becomes a defining chapter in European football, Lacroix intends to be right at the heart of it.