Chelsea have completed the signing of defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace as the club continues to reshape its squad ahead of the new season.
The Blues agreed a deal worth £51 million for the French centre-back.
He has signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Lacroix’s arrival takes Chelsea’s spending this summer to more than £250 million as the club continues to invest heavily.
However, the latest signing is expected to trigger several departures in defence.
According to reports, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi are all expected to leave Chelsea.
The trio have reportedly fallen down the pecking order following Lacroix’s arrival, with Chelsea looking to reduce the size of the squad while balancing their spending.
Lacroix also ends a notable trend in Chelsea’s recruitment policy.
At 26, he becomes the club’s first signing aged 26 or older since the summer of 2022.
The last senior players in that age bracket to join Chelsea were Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Chelsea believe Lacroix brings qualities that have been missing from their defence.
The former Crystal Palace star has valuable Premier League experience and is known for his physical strength, pace.
The club has prioritised adding players with proven experience in English football, and Lacroix fits that profile perfectly.
Chelsea’s defensive overhaul is expected to continue in the coming weeks as the club works to finalise outgoing transfers.
With Lacroix now officially part of the squad, the Blues are focused on trimming their roster while preparing for the challenges of the new Premier League season under their new-look team.
