Chelsea did not have a solid center-back partnership last season. Therefore, the Blues are wise to target Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace.
Center-backs at Stamford Bridge struggled to stay fit. Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile, and Tosin Adarabioyo all had fitness issues.
Colwill made just three Premier League appearances last season after picking up a cruciate ligament tear in pre-season. Fofana missed games for multiple reasons, but is still being linked with Barcelona. Adarabioyo had calf and hamstring injuries, which meant that he made just 16 Premier League appearances. Badiashile played just eight league games after suffering multiple muscle problems.
Trevoh Chalobah was one of Chelsea's most reliable defenders last season, and he has been rewarded with a place in the England squad for the World Cup. Mamadou Sarr had to be recalled from his loan to Strasbourg in January to boost Chelsea's center-back options.
Xabi Alonso will need his Chelsea defenders to stay fit
The incoming Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, favors playing a 3-4-2-1, but he can be flexible and play a back four. He may have to do this next season if Chelsea does not have sufficient center-back options.
Lacroix would bring Premier League experience, having played 70 times in the division for Palace. He has been Palace's starting center-back as they won the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Europa Conference League. Even when Marc Guehi was sold to Manchester City in January, Lacroix ensured that this did not dislodge them too much at the back.
The Frenchman has four caps for his country and has been on the bench for Les Bleus in their opening two World Cup matches. He also has experience playing in France for Souchax and in Germany with Wolfsburg. Lacroix is only 26, so he is in his prime, and at 6 ft 4 is a commanding presence at the back.
If Alonso is to play a back three, then he will likely need to recruit more center-backs. Axel Disasi is returning from his loan at West Ham United. Whilst he impressed with the Hammers, Disasi is still not expected to have a future at Stamford Bridge.
Which other center-backs could Chelsea sign?
Chelsea have also been linked with Jacobo Ramon of FC Como. He played for Alonso at Real Madrid, but has been with Como last season, making 32 appearances in Serie A. Ramon helped Cesc Fabregas' side finish fourth in the division and qualify for the Champions League. He is also a Spain Under-21 international.
Another one of Alonso's former players, Edmond Tapsoba, is reportedly also of interest to Chelsea. Tapsoba was part of Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side that won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup, and got to the Europa League final. Tapsoba has remained with Leverkusen since Alonso left and has continued to star for them.
Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge is also a target. He is part of Ecuador's roster for the World Cup. Ordonez has also been linked with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Juventus. The Blues need to strengthen in many areas, including left-back, after selling Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid.
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