‘Great player’ – Gary Cahill backs £52m star to reach ‘next level’ at Chelsea

Maxence Lacroix is a ‘really smart’ signing for Chelsea, says Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill has praised Chelsea’s ‘really smart’ transfer move for Maxence Lacroix and backed the defender to take his game to the ‘next level’ at Stamford Bridge.

Lacroix informed Crystal Palace of his desire to seek a fresh challenge away from Selhurst Park at the end of last season and Chelsea wasted little time before ramping up their efforts to sign the 26-year-old centre-back.

Discussions progressed at a pace and the two Premier League rivals would go on to shake hands on a £52million transfer fee for the France international.

Lacroix, who made three appearances for Les Bleus at the World Cup, has put pen to paper on a six-year contract with Chelsea, tying him to the club until 2032.

He is one of seven new arrivals across what has been a busy transfer window for the club, with Morgan Rogers, Geovany Quenda, Marco Palestra, Emmanuel Emegha, Danny Welbeck and Valentin Barco also added to Xabi Alonso’s squad in recent weeks.

‘He’s a great player and it’s a really smart signing,’ ex-Chelsea captain Cahill said of Lacroix in an interview with the club’s official website.

‘I think he’s at a great age now as well and he’s had that experience of playing regularly in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace FC v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - UEFA Conference League Final 2026 — Palace agreed a £52m deal with Chelsea for Lacroix (Picture: Getty)

The France defender has signed a six-year deal (Picture: Chelsea FC)

‘There’s still plenty of years ahead of him to progress and learn. And to come to a club like Chelsea, it gives him that platform to kick on.

‘He’s obviously been involved at the World Cup with the French national team and he’s put himself on that platform and into that sort of pedigree now.

‘But again, similar to when I moved to Chelsea, you get that opportunity to take your career to the next level.’

SOCCER: JUL 18 FIFA World Cup 26 Bronze Final - France v England — The centre-back made three appearances for France at the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

Cahill is confident Lacroix will not be overawed by the size of the move and will continue on the same trajectory that put him in Chelsea’s crosshairs in the first place.

He added: ‘I just think he’s a great player, it’s a really good signing, and a move that I’m sure he’s really looking forward to getting stuck into and aiming to hit the ground running.

‘I was at Palace for a couple of years, and I enjoyed my time there. He’s done the same and he’s progressed while he’s been there.

‘It’s a big move for him, but also for the club and it will be exciting to see him come through the door and get started here.’

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Lacroix did not feature in Chelsea’s two opening pre-season fixtures against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham but is reportedly hoping to join up with Alonso’s squad over the coming days.

The former Palace and Wolfsburg centre-half will no doubt be desperate to get some serious minutes in his legs in advance of the new Premier League season, which starts away to local neighbours Fulham on August 24.

In a recent interview with BOYLE Sports, Jody Morris said he was not surprised to see the club pursue a move for Lacroix given his form under Oliver Glasner at Palace last season.

However, the ex-Chelsea midfielder but was slightly concerned by what he saw of Lacroix at the World Cup, especially in France’s matches against Spain and England.

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‘I thought Lacroix did great for Crystal Palace last year in a back three, but playing for Palace and Chelsea are two different things,’ Morris – who served as Frank Lampard’s assistant at Chelsea from 2018 to 2021 – explained.

‘I didn’t think he played well for France. I was telling my friends that I would be interested to see how he does in a back four, because I’ve only ever seen him in a three.

‘He had a very poor game against Spain and I didn’t think he was great against England either, where they conceded six goals.’

While Morris stopped short of writing Lacroix off as a signing, he stressed that the centre-back would have to raise his level in order to mix it with the best.

‘He could suit the team, but I’m intrigued to see how Alonso sets us up,’ Morris added.

‘I hope he doesn’t perform like that all the time if we are going for him.’

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‘Great player’ – Gary Cahill backs £52m star to reach ‘next level’ at Chelsea

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