The stats prove Chelsea are getting a bargain in Maxence Lacroix with Tottenham yardstick used

According to Ben Jacobs, Crystal Palace are using Tottenham’s £52m deal for defender Jan Paul van Hecke as a yardstick. The fact that Spurs continue to be used as the marker probably proves they have overpaid.

There is no doubting that van Hecke is a solid defender, but the belief is that the Dutchman is expensive at £52m. That has led to Palace declaring their own valuation of Lacroix at a huge £55m, as per Jacobs.

Maxence Lacroix is a better player than Jan Paul van Hecke

Lacroix is finally set for a summer break after playing for France at the World Cup, starting against England on Saturday night during the Three Lions’ incredible 6-4 third-placed play-off win in Miami.

It allows Chelsea to press ahead with a deal for Lacroix. Jacobs reports that Palace want a £55m fee for Lacroix, £3m more than Spurs paid for van Hecke. Palace are using Brighton’s price tag for van Hecke.

“Chelsea have now held formal talks with Crystal Palace for Maxence Lacroix. Arsenal also appreciate Lacroix. Palace value him at at least £55m. Jan Paul van Hecke’s move to Spurs being used as a yardstick.”

Chelsea themselves were linked with van Hecke before his move to Tottenham. The chance to reunite with Tottenham boss and former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi proved to be the deciding factor.

But if Chelsea are going to spend little over £50m on a centre-back, which team has got the better buy – Tottenham or Chelsea? A quick look at the duo’s 2025-26 Premier League stats proves Lacroix is better.

Despite playing fewer minutes than van Hecke last season in the Premier League, Lacroix produced higher stats in tackles and tackles won, clearances, duels lost, and aerial duels won. Defensively, Lacroix is better.

£172m on two new Chelsea signings is a lot, but it’s worth it

With Rogers and Lacroix looking more and more likely to be Chelsea’s next two signings, the Blues are set to splash a whopping £172m, having already paid around £47m to sign Italian full-back Marco Palestra.

But it does not sound as bad as it appears. Last summer, Chelsea raked in £300m from player sales, and it looks as if they are on course to do the same this time around. Already, Chelsea have received £134.5m.

Is it too early to say Chelsea have made a mistake selling Andrey Santos?😬

That’s just from initial fees, too. Marc Cucurella cost Madrid £47.5m up front, £48m for Andrey Santos, an initial fee of £18m for Tyrique George and £4m for Jimmy-Jay Morgan, as well as £17m for Enzo Maresca.

With that amount raked in, the enormous outlay of £219m on Palestra, Rogers and Lacroix no longer seems monstrous. Especially when Chelsea are expected to sell others like Benoit Badiashile and more.

Badiashile has emerged as a target for Newcastle and Napoli, while Trevoh Chalobah is set to join Como. More sales are expected and they could well end up covering Chelsea’s outlay in the coming weeks.