{"id":18079,"date":"2026-07-16T21:31:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T21:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=18079"},"modified":"2026-07-16T21:31:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T21:31:31","slug":"maxence-lacroix-is-absolutely-worth-the-new-fee-crystal-palace-are-demanding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=18079","title":{"rendered":"Maxence Lacroix is absolutely worth the new fee Crystal Palace are demanding"},"content":{"rendered":"


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All the noise coming out of Chelsea suggests that Crystal Palace\u2019s Maxence Lacroix is their top centre-back target this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chelsea are in the market for a new central defender, while one or two of their current options could leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.<\/p>\n

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Como are finalising a deal to sign Trevoh Chalobah, and it would not be a shock to see a couple more names follow him out of the exit door.<\/p>\n

In terms of incomings, though, Lacroix is the man they want. But he is not going to come cheap.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea fans, you know Thomas Tuchel very well. What did you make of his tactics in England\u2019s loss to Argentina? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Photo by Ryan Pierse \u2013 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Chelsea should pay \u00a360m for Maxence Lacroix<\/h2>\n

Xabi Alonso is said to be convinced of Lacroix\u2019s quality, which increases the chances of Chelsea paying the transfer fee Palace are demanding.<\/p>\n

According to Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, when the Blues enquired about Lacroix\u2019s price tag, Palace quoted a \u00a352m fee.<\/p>\n

It is the same amount of money that Tottenham Hotspur paid to sign Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion. Clearly, Palace were using that transfer as a benchmark.<\/p>\n

However, Palace now want \u00a360m for the 26-year-old, the report from Si Phillips Talks Chelsea claims.<\/p>\n

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\"Maxence<\/div>
Photo by Carmen Mandato \u2013 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In this current market, it is more than a reasonable fee. Brighton just paid \u00a346m for Luka Vuskovic who has a lot of potential but is still 19 and has not played in the Premier League before.<\/p>\n

Lacroix is seven years his senior and tried and tested in the English top flight.<\/p>\n

Last season, the Frenchman made 7.2 clearances per game. It was the joint-highest average alongside Liverpool\u2019s Virgil van Dijk, according to WhoScored. He also won 3.4 aerial duels per game, which was a very high average as well.<\/p>\n

Before the centre-back market spirals out of control, just as the central midfielder market has, Chelsea should just make a \u00a360m bid for Lacroix. Based on his performances at Palace, they will not regret it.<\/p>\n

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