Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea for £52m makes sense. His experience and physicality are exactly what they need

Maxence Lacroix’s likely move to Stamford Bridge might not be Chelsea’s most glamorous or expensive summer signing, but it is one of the most noteworthy of the BlueCo era.This will be the first time since the summer of 2022 that Chelsea have paid a transfer fee for a player aged 26 or over, and £52million ($69.2m) is a significant outlay. A newfound willingness to invest in maturity and experience to balance out youth is coming into action.But why the 26-year-old Lacroix?The Athletic reported on June 23 that he was one of Chelsea’s top targets. In the first summer 2026 edition of the Transfer DealSheet on June 2, it was reported they were looking to add a centre-back. That is despite the fact Chelsea already have eight to 10 senior centre-backs on their books, depending on how you classify Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong. Last summer, Enzo Maresca was told after Levi Colwill suffered an ACL injury in pre-season that a new centre-back would not be purchased and he needed to find internal solutions.After last season, that tune has changed. Too often, Chelsea appeared vulnerable, ill-disciplined and unstable at the back, lacking composure and physicality. A fully fit and available Colwill will help enormously, but Lacroix’s aptitude to solve some of those problems demonstrates why Chelsea have invested in him.First, Lacroix has emerged as a leadership figure at Palace, a quality Chelsea lacked at times last season. As The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam has written, Lacroix’s commitment is part of what has made him popular among team-mates, fans and coaching staff at Palace. He was also vice-captain at former side Wolfsburg. His experience of taking on responsibility week-in, week-out — having made 55 appearances for Palace last season, all starts — is valuable.But his more tangible attributes as a player also line up with what Chelsea have been missing. At 6ft 2in (190cm), Lacroix’s stature is a major positive. Chelsea have struggled defending set pieces and have been outmuscled in one-v-one duels too much. The France international’s physicality helps him hold his own when battling against strikers for long balls into his territory.