Chelsea have announced the signing of France international Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, completing a significant £52 million transfer today, July 30, 2026. During his time with Palace, Lacroix celebrated three major trophy triumphs: the FA Cup in the 2024-25 season, the Community Shield in 2025, and the UEFA Conference League in 2025-26. His impressive form in the Premier League and European competitions earned him his first senior call-up for the France national team in March 2026. Lacroix is expected to play a major role in Alonso's defensive setup, especially given his proven Premier League experience and versatility. Last season, for Crystal Palace in the 2025/2026 Premier League, Lacroix registered one goal and two assists across 3,087 minutes, maintaining an average FotMob rating of 7.04.