Maxence lacroix’s €55m chelsea move confirmed amid France national team call-up

From the French Bleus to the English Blues? Maxence Lacroix, who received his inaugural call-up to the France national team during the last March international break, stands out as one of Didier Deschamps’ surprise selections for the 2026 World Cup squad. This recognition is a testament to the significant progress the player, originally developed at Sochaux, has made since his arrival at Crystal Palace in 2024. It now appears highly probable that he will depart the club this summer.

lacroix set for chelsea after the world cup

Indeed, Maxence Lacroix has attracted significant interest, particularly from Chelsea, a development that has been circulating for days. The Blues are actively seeking to reinforce their defensive line, and the French international, with his four caps, perfectly matches the profile they desire. All indications suggest he is poised to leave Crystal Palace to join Chelsea once the World Cup concludes, with the transfer fee expected to be around €55 million.

a starting spot against norway?

While he has remained on the bench since the start of the competition, Maxence Lacroix could potentially earn a starting position in place of William Saliba this Friday against Norway, in what will be the France national team’s final group stage match. “William will not be available tomorrow,” confirmed Guy Stéphan during a press conference. “One only needs to consider who has replaced him in recent matches.” In the same defensive sector, Lacroix is not the only one set for a club change this summer; Ibrahima Konaté has already made his move. Despite initial talks of a contract extension, the 27-year-old ultimately departed Liverpool to join Real Madrid, signing a deal that runs until June 2030.