From the French national team, affectionately known as the Bleus, to the English club, the Blues? Maxence Lacroix’s initial call-up to the équipe de France during the March international break came as a notable surprise within Didier Deschamps’ final selection for the 2026 World Cup. This significant recognition underscores the remarkable ascent of the player, who honed his skills at Sochaux before making a pivotal move to Crystal Palace in 2024. His impressive trajectory now strongly suggests an imminent departure from the London club this summer.

lacroix to chelsea post-world cup

Indeed, Maxence Lacroix finds himself a highly sought-after talent, with Chelsea leading the chase. The London giants are keen to bolster their defensive line, and the French international, already boasting four caps, perfectly aligns with the profile they are seeking. Indications are strong that he will indeed leave Crystal Palace to join Chelsea after the World Cup, with the transfer fee expected to be around €55M.

a starting role against norway?

Despite remaining on the bench since the commencement of the competition, Maxence Lacroix could potentially earn a starting position this Friday against Norway, in what marks the final group stage match for the équipe de France. Assistant coach Guy Stéphan confirmed in a press conference, “William will not be there tomorrow,” referring to William Saliba. Stéphan added, “One only needs to refer to who replaced him in recent matches,” strongly hinting at Lacroix stepping in. In a related development within the defensive ranks, Ibrahima Konaté, 27, has also recently completed a club change, departing Liverpool for Real Madrid, where he has committed until June 2030, despite earlier talks of a contract extension at his former club.