The 2026 World Cup has now reached its conclusion, with Spain crowned champions after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final thanks to a late goal from Ferran Torres.
England secured a third-place finish, while France ended the tournament in fourth after a thrilling 6-4 defeat to the Three Lions in the bronze medal match.
Now, Chelsea appear ready to make a move for one of France’s standout defenders from that clash.
Chelsea Hold Formal Lacroix Talks
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea have opened formal discussions with Crystal Palace over a potential deal for Maxence Lacroix.
The Eagles are demanding at least £55 million for the France international, with chairman Steve Parish determined to secure a significant fee for a player who has become a key figure for the club in recent years.
Lacroix, who has been described as a “leader” by former Palace boss Oliver Glasner, is attracting serious interest from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to strengthen their defence under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Palace are reportedly using Jan Paul van Hecke’s £52m move from Brighton to Tottenham as a benchmark when assessing Lacroix’s value.
The Blues have previously explored the possibility of including fringe players as part of a deal, while Lacroix himself is believed to be open to a move to west London despite Palace’s desire to keep him.
The 26-year-old joined France’s World Cup squad and featured during their run to the latter stages, starting the dramatic third-place playoff against England.
Since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in 2024, Lacroix has made 98 appearances for Palace, helping the club win the FA Cup, Conference League and Community Shield.
About the Author
