Updated 07:06, 26 Jul 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMaxence Lacroix of France at the World Cup(Image: Photo by Rich Graessle\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Maxence Lacroix will become just the fifth player aged 26 or older to join Chelsea since the BlueCo takeover in May 2022, and the only fourth to command a transfer fee, marking a significant shift in the recruitment model at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
When Clearlake Capital, owned by Behdad Eghbali and Jos\u00e9 E Feliciano, and Todd Boehly joined forces to buy the west London outfit from Roman Abramovich four years ago, there was a mass exodus in the boardroom.<\/p>\n
Many of those who helped the Russian billionaire transform Chelsea into a European powerhouse were either relieved of their duties or left the club. After 19 years as chairman, Bruce Buck stood down and took a senior advisory role.<\/p>\n
Marina Granovskaia, widely regarded as one of the toughest negotiators in football during Abramovich\u2019s reign, also departed. In their absence, Boehly was named as chairman and interim sporting director, despite having no experience at any level in football management.<\/p>\n
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! <\/strong>Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\nPetr Cech, who famously spearheaded Chelsea\u2019s withdrawal from the controversial European Super League in April 2021, had resigned as Technical and Performance Advisor, leaving the American billionaire to fend for himself.<\/p>\n
Although Boehly had enjoyed great success in the United States with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Lakers, arriving as a co-owner of the then-seven-time baseball World Series champions and 17-time NBA Finals winners, respectively, he was in unfamiliar territory.<\/p>\n
Eager to bridge the 20-point or so gap to Manchester City and Liverpool, having just finished third in the Premier League, the private equity investor forked out over about \u00a3250m on signings during his first summer transfer window at the helm.<\/p>\n
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\nTodd Boehly was the interim Chelsea sporting director during the summer of 2022(Image: GLYN KIRK\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Three of the six additions to Thomas Tuchel\u2019s squad were aged 26 or older: Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who cost a combined \u00a390m.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t long until they were each deemed surplus to requirements. Chelsea took a hit on the former Napoli defender, who joined Al-Hilal a year later for a cut-price fee, while the other two eventually had their contracts terminated.<\/p>\n
Whether Boehly was haunted by the disastrous piece of business or BlueCo had always planned to execute a youth-centric recruitment model once the dust had settled, Chelsea didn\u2019t sign another player aged 26 or older for two years.<\/p>\n
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\nTosin Adarabioyo and Cole Palmer pose for a photo(Image: Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
In June 2024, now with Boehly out of the picture, the west London outfit signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Fulham. The deal raised eyebrows at the time, but with Chelsea in desperate need of an experienced player in the dressing room, it was brushed under the carpet.<\/p>\n
Adarabioyo has hardly repaid the faith shown by the sporting leadership team at Stamford Bridge, failing to impress supporters who demand silverware and Champions League football. This summer, eager to break the over-25 curse, Chelsea appear to have turned over a new leaf.<\/p>\n
When Xabi Alonso was appointed as manager earlier this summer, he was promised greater involvement in recruitment than his predecessors. Hence the job title.<\/p>\n
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\nXabi Alonso was appointed as Chelsea manager earlier this summer. (Image: Darren Walsh, Chelsea FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Starting from a clean slate, Chelsea leapt out of the gates and set their sights on Granit Xhaka, who at the grand age of 33 would\u2019ve become the joint-oldest player to join under the new owners.<\/p>\n
The sporting leadership team were unsuccessful in their pursuit of the Sunderland midfielder, but they quickly turned their attention to two archetypal Alonso signings: Marco Palestra and Morgan Rogers.<\/p>\n
Aged 21 and 23, respectively, they still fit the profile of the previous recruitment model. Chelsea have since agreed to sign Lacroix from Crystal Palace for about \u00a352m, marking a significant shift in the vision at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
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\nMaxence Lacroix for France at the World Cup(Image: Photo by Johnny Fidelin\/Icon Sport via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Although the France international is hardly a veteran of the game, he joins the Blues as one of the best centre-backs in the country, with a lot still to prove. In the Premier League last season, Lacroix was the only player to record more than 50 tackles, in excess of 200 duels won and over 250 clearances.<\/p>\n
Over the last two English top-flight campaigns, only Virgil van Dijk has completed more clearances (465) than the Frenchman (455). Lacroix is expected to significantly upgrade the Chelsea backline, likely sitting alongside Levi Colwill and Jorrel Hato in Alonso\u2019s synonymous back-three.<\/p>\n
While the Chelsea manager looks to get his hands on some silverware and a place in the Champions League, higher-ups at Stamford Bridge will hope their new signing breaks the over-25 curse\u2026<\/p>\n
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Get Chelsea’s new 2026\/27 away kit<\/p>\n
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Chelsea have launched their new away kit for the 2026\/27 season, said to be a celebration of the club’s ‘Italian Renaissance’. It’s designed with a black base and gold trim in tribute to their transformative 1990s era.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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