Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso believes that, following Lacroix's transfer from Crystal Palace, his personality, maturity, and desire to win will improve the Blues' performance both on and off the field.

The 26-year-old defender has extensive experience in top-level competitions. He made 130 appearances for Wolfsburg before enjoying two successful seasons at Crystal Palace, helping the Eagles win the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Europa Conference League.

Lacroix is also a member of the French senior national team and was included in France's World Cup squad in North America this summer. He is currently enjoying a short vacation after the tournament before joining Alonso's team ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Speaking about Lacroix ahead of the Sydney Super Cup against Tottenham, the Chelsea coach said he was delighted to have him on board and knew exactly what to expect from the center-back, having faced him in the Bundesliga while coaching Leverkusen.

“I knew Maxence from my time in the Bundesliga,” Alonso explained. “I think his progress and adaptation in the Premier League have been excellent—not only on the pitch, but also in terms of personality and leadership. He possesses these qualities. He is a very reliable player who brings strength to the defense. He has a calmness that will have a huge impact on the team, and I firmly believe that. So this is a very good signing, both for now and for the future. He has a strong personality, is very mature, and he wants to win. He has a desire to win and loves to defend. That’s something I really appreciate.”

AF's PC site is now live! Browse all the latest news, comments, match details, and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com