{"id":18922,"date":"2026-07-19T18:26:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T18:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=18922"},"modified":"2026-07-19T18:26:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T18:26:07","slug":"the-stats-prove-chelsea-are-getting-a-bargain-in-maxence-lacroix-with-tottenham-yardstick-used","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=18922","title":{"rendered":"The stats prove Chelsea are getting a bargain in Maxence Lacroix with Tottenham yardstick used"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Amid all the noise regarding Morgan Rogers, Chelsea are also pushing for a separate deal for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. The Eagles are using Tottenham\u2019s recent activity as a yardstick.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tottenham have already splashed a whopping \u00a3237m on new players this summer, having completed six deals. Only three have actually cost money, but those three have cost a huge \u00a352m, \u00a385m, and \u00a3100m.<\/p>\n

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What do you make of Chelsea\u2019s interest in Maxence Lacroix?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

According to Ben Jacobs, Crystal Palace are using Tottenham\u2019s \u00a352m 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.<\/p>\n

There is no doubting that van Hecke is a solid defender, but the belief is that the Dutchman is expensive at \u00a352m. That has led to Palace declaring their own valuation of Lacroix at a huge \u00a355m, as per Jacobs.<\/p>\n

Maxence Lacroix is a better player than Jan Paul van Hecke<\/h2>\n

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\u2019 incredible 6-4 third-placed play-off win in Miami.<\/p>\n

It allows Chelsea to press ahead with a deal for Lacroix. Jacobs reports that Palace want a \u00a355m fee for Lacroix, \u00a33m more than Spurs paid for van Hecke. Palace are using Brighton\u2019s price tag for van Hecke.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Rene Nijhuis\/MB Media\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cChelsea have now held formal talks with Crystal Palace for Maxence Lacroix. Arsenal also appreciate Lacroix. Palace value him at at least \u00a355m. Jan Paul van Hecke\u2019s move to Spurs being used as a yardstick.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But if Chelsea are going to spend little over \u00a350m on a centre-back, which team has got the better buy \u2013 Tottenham or Chelsea? A quick look at the duo\u2019s 2025-26 Premier League stats proves Lacroix is better.<\/p>\n

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Statistic<\/strong><\/td>\nJan Paul van Hecke (Brighton)<\/strong><\/td>\nMaxence Lacroix (Palace)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Appearances (Starts)<\/strong><\/td>\n36 (36)<\/td>\n35 (35)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minutes Played<\/strong><\/td>\n3,210<\/td>\n3,085<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Tackles<\/strong><\/td>\n53<\/td>\n60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tackles Won<\/strong><\/td>\n31<\/td>\n38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Interceptions<\/strong><\/td>\n45<\/td>\n45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clearances<\/strong><\/td>\n221<\/td>\n281<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shots Blocked<\/strong><\/td>\n7<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duels (Won-Lost)<\/strong><\/td>\n201\u2013132<\/td>\n197\u2013128<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aerial Duels (Won-Lost)<\/strong><\/td>\n106\u201379<\/td>\n111\u201374<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fouls Committed<\/strong><\/td>\n27<\/td>\n34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yellow \/ Red Cards<\/strong><\/td>\n9 \/ 0<\/td>\n4 \/ 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00a3172m on two new Chelsea signings is a lot, but it\u2019s worth it<\/h2>\n

With Rogers and Lacroix looking more and more likely to be Chelsea\u2019s next two signings, the Blues are set to splash a whopping \u00a3172m, having already paid around \u00a347m to sign Italian full-back Marco Palestra.<\/p>\n

But it does not sound as bad as it appears. Last summer, Chelsea raked in \u00a3300m from player sales, and it looks as if they are on course to do the same this time around. Already, Chelsea have received \u00a3134.5m.<\/p>\n

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Is it too early to say Chelsea have made a mistake selling Andrey Santos?\ud83d\ude2c<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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That\u2019s just from initial fees, too. Marc Cucurella cost Madrid \u00a347.5m up front, \u00a348m for Andrey Santos, an initial fee of \u00a318m for Tyrique George and \u00a34m for Jimmy-Jay Morgan, as well as \u00a317m for Enzo Maresca.<\/p>\n

With that amount raked in, the enormous outlay of \u00a3219m on Palestra, Rogers and Lacroix no longer seems monstrous. Especially when Chelsea are expected to sell others like Benoit Badiashile and more.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s outlay in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

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