France 1998 World Cup winning star Marcel Desailly has voiced his concerns over Chelsea’s potential move for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.
The Blues are on the verge of completing a £52 million move for the 26-year-old defender, marking the first time in four years that the Chelsea owners will pay a transfer fee for a player aged 26 and above.
Desailly, who enjoyed an impressive stint at the Blues during his playing days, believes the signing is a decent one, but expressed concerns over the move which is close to its final stages.
“I think that Maxence Lacroix would be a decent signing for Chelsea”, Desailly said.
“I don’t want to criticise the player, I would just say that yes, it’s a good move for the club. Alonso likes to play with three at the back. He wants to implement his ideas and his philosophy with a back three.
“I think it’s a good move for him and a good move for Chelsea. Lacroix is an international player, playing in a magnificent team that Didier Deschamps has assembled. I cannot criticise an international player who has represented France at the World Cup. Is he what Chelsea really needs?”
Chelsea are planning to strengthen their backline with Lacroix’s signature and are also exploring moves for other players this summer.
Desailly, though, believes the Blues should still explore a more experienced centre-back option to fit into Xabi Alonso’s playing pattern.
“I actually think they need a centre-back with more experience, a player that is already established and can come in and lead the defence. We need a real experienced leader at the heart of the defence”, Desailly added.
“Don’t ask me for a name; it is Alonso and the club’s job to find the correct player that matches his philosophy. It’s a good move for Lacroix, but I really want to see them target a player who has played at an elite level for a similar-sized club as Chelsea, with similar pressures, not a player from a smaller club than Chelsea.”
The Club World Cup champions are closing in on signing Lacroix, who will join their growing list of signings this summer which also includes the likes of Morgan Rogers, Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda.
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