The journey from the French national squad, affectionately known as Les Bleus, to the Premier League’s Blues appears to be the next step for Maxence Lacroix. His inclusion in Didier Deschamps‘ 2026 World Cup roster, a notable surprise following his initial call-up last March, reflects his significant progress since joining Crystal Palace in 2024 after emerging from the Sochaux academy. A summer exit now seems highly probable for the talented center-back.

lacroix set for chelsea after the world cup

Maxence Lacroix has attracted considerable interest, particularly from Chelsea. The London club is actively seeking to bolster its defensive line, and the French international, with his four caps, perfectly matches the desired profile. It is understood that he is indeed poised to leave Crystal Palace to join Chelsea once the World Cup campaign concludes, with the transfer fee anticipated to be around €55 million.

a starting spot against norway?

Despite remaining on the bench during the initial matches of the competition, Maxence Lacroix could potentially earn a starting position this Friday against Norway, in what will be the French national team‘s final group stage fixture. Assistant coach Guy Stéphan confirmed in a press conference that « William [Saliba] will not be there tomorrow », adding, « It is enough to refer to the one who replaced him in recent matches, » strongly hinting at Lacroix’s potential inclusion. In a similar defensive context, Ibrahima Konaté, aged 27, has also completed a summer move, departing Liverpool to sign with Real Madrid until June 2030, despite earlier reports suggesting a contract extension at his former club.