When Maxence Lacroix will join up with the Chelsea squad as medical booked

Now, Xabi Alonso is strengthening his backline by snagging Maxence Lacroix for around £52m. The French centre-back is riding high after earning a late call-up to Didier Deschamps’ 2026 World Cup squad, where he actually clocked quality minutes, starting in a 4-1 thrashing of Norway and featuring in that wild 6-4 bronze-medal battle against England.

The Chelsea board have more than kept their promise to Alonso, allowing him to dictate transfer plans and backing him all the way, with over £200 million spent so far.

With his best mate Morgan Rogers announced, how many goals and assists does Cole Palmer get this season?👀

Maxence Lacroix’s likely return date for Chelsea

Maxence Lacroix is set for his medical today before joining Chelsea from Crystal Palace.

A £52 million deal is being finalised⁠, with the 26-year-old centre-back signing a Chelsea contract until June 2032⁠.

Following his World Cup campaign with France, he will skip the upcoming pre-season tour to take an extended holiday.

Instead, Lacroix will link up with the squad at Cobham upon their return, much like record £117m signing Morgan Rogers, who is also resting after international duties before joining first-team training.

Chelsea’s centre-back options are officially stacked

Maxence Lacroix’s impending arrival immediately reshapes Chelsea’s centre-back options.

Alongside Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr, Aaron Anselmino, Axel Disasi, and Trevoh Chalobah, competition at central defence is fiercer than ever.

Yet a partnership between Lacroix and Levi Colwill stands out as Chelsea’s most complete pairing. Lacroix brings that explosive recovery speed, aerial power, and one-on-one defending, seamlessly complementing Colwill’s composure, vision, and progressive left-footed passing.