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Chelsea centerback scouting part five: Maxence Lacroix

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

COLOGNE, GERMANY - DECEMBER 05: Maxence Lacroix of VfL Wolfsburg is challenged by Salih Ozcan of 1. FC Koeln during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koeln and VfL Wolfsburg at RheinEnergieStadion on December 05, 2020 in Cologne, Germany. Football Stadiums around Germany remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
COLOGNE, GERMANY - DECEMBER 05: Maxence Lacroix of VfL Wolfsburg is challenged by Salih Ozcan of 1. FC Koeln during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koeln and VfL Wolfsburg at RheinEnergieStadion on December 05, 2020 in Cologne, Germany. Football Stadiums around Germany remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) /
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Wolfsburg’s French defender Maxence Lacroix celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match VfL Wolfsburg v Hertha Berlin in Wolfsburg, northern Germany, on February 27, 2021. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / various sources / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Wolfsburg’s French defender Maxence Lacroix celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match VfL Wolfsburg v Hertha Berlin in Wolfsburg, northern Germany, on February 27, 2021. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / various sources / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images) /

Conclusion

Lacroix’s defensive numbers show an excellent reading of the game. His success in ground duels shows an assertiveness that is present in commanding centerbacks. His long pass volume shows a brave defender who is not afraid to attempt passes he feels he can execute.  He is very close to being the complete centerback. He just needs to work on his aerial duels and long passing technique. The number of clean sheets he’s kept shows a player that works well with other defenders. It also shows a player that communicates well.

He’s kept the most clean sheets in the Bundesliga this season, which for a 21-year-old, is an incredible feat. He’s young and while Chelsea does have a number of young centerbacks coming through, Lacroix is quite special and has a lot more experience at the highest level. Rumor is that Chelsea likes Lacroix. If Wolfsburg’s willingness to take him and make him a starter after two years at Ligue 2 club Sochaux wasn’t any indication of his incredible talent, his performance to help Wolfsburg finish top four—while making it the second best defensive side in the league—should be.

Transfermarkt values the Frenchman at €25 million, but his contract runs until 2024 and his fee may likely fall into the €30-40 million range. The market is tricky with the pandemic though, so it’s difficult to correctly estimate what a player of his talent would go for in this current climate.

Next. Chelsea centerback scouting part four: Benoit Badiashile. dark

What do you think of Lacroix? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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