'Is he what Chelsea really needs?' - Blues legend Marcel Desailly questions £52m move for Crystal Palace star Maxence Lacroix

Chelsea are on the verge of completing the £52 million signing of Lacroix from Palace. The 26-year-old defender has reportedly passed a medical and is set to become a key addition ahead of the new campaign. This transfer represents a significant shift in Chelsea's recent recruitment strategy under the BlueCo ownership. It marks the first time in four years that the club have paid a transfer fee for a player aged 26 or older. Lacroix is expected to slot straight into the defence under Alonso.

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Despite Lacroix's recent success, former Chelsea captain Desailly harbours doubts about the move. The 57-year-old believes his old club require a different profile of centre-back to truly solidify their defence.

"Is he what Chelsea really needs? I actually think they need a centre-back with more experience, a player that is already established and can come in and lead the defence," Desailly told Football London. "We need a real experienced leader at the heart of the defence."

Desailly stressed that Chelsea should be targeting players accustomed to the highest levels of the game. He added: "It’s a good move for Lacroix, but I really want to see them target a player who has played at an elite level for a similar-sized club as Chelsea, with similar pressures, not a player from a smaller club than Chelsea."

Desailly did acknowledge that the transfer makes tactical sense for Alonso, who favours playing with three central defenders. He noted that Lacroix's experience in a back three under Oliver Glasner at Palace will be highly beneficial.

"Alonso likes to play with three at the back. He wants to implement his ideas and his philosophy with a back three," Desailly explained. "I think it’s a good move for him and a good move for Chelsea. Lacroix is an international player, playing in a magnificent team that Didier Deschamps has assembled. I cannot criticise an international player who has represented France at the World Cup."

Lacroix has enjoyed a meteoric rise since arriving at Selhurst Park from Wolfsburg in 2024. The Frenchman was instrumental in helping the Eagles win the 2024-25 FA Cup and Conference League last season.

With his medical complete, official confirmation of the £52m transfer is expected in the coming days. Chelsea fans will soon see if Alonso’s tactical masterplan can bring immediate success back to west London.