If Chelsea Want Maxence Lacroix, Crystal Palace Should Demand Wonderkid In Return | OneFootball

If Chelsea are serious about signing Maxence Lacroix, Crystal Palace should not settle for a straightforward £55 million transfer. The Eagles are under no pressure to sell cheaply, so they should use Chelsea’s interest to strengthen their defence rather than simply increase their bank balance.

Lacroix is entering his prime, remains under contract and has become one of Palace’s most important defenders. Chelsea are the club trying to complete the deal, which means Palace should be prepared to make ambitious demands.

Their first request should be Josh Acheampong.

Palace Should Ask for Acheampong

Chelsea are unlikely to want to lose the highly rated young defender, but that is exactly why Palace should ask for him. There is little value in accepting a fringe player Chelsea are already trying to move on.

Acheampong is one of the most exciting defensive prospects at Stamford Bridge. He can play at centre-back or right-back, while his athleticism, composure and versatility could make him an excellent long-term addition for Palace.

At Chelsea, the youngster faces intense competition for regular minutes. At Selhurst Park, he could be offered a much clearer pathway into the starting eleven and becoming a regular for the Eagles.

Crystal Palace have become an attractive destination for talented young players who need consistent football and greater responsibility. Acheampong would have the chance to develop away from the constant pressure surrounding Chelsea and could become a major figure in Palace’s next defensive rebuild.

Palace Cannot Afford Another Major Defensive Loss

That rebuild is becoming increasingly important. Palace have already lost Marc Guehi and could now see Lacroix become the next first-choice centre-back to leave. They have also lost Oliver Glasner, and could be under real trouble this coming season within serious investment.

Losing two major defenders in a short period would create a serious problem. It cannot be solved by simply signing the cheapest replacement available late in the transfer window.

Lacroix gives Palace recovery speed, physical strength and the ability to defend large spaces. Those qualities are particularly important when the team plays with an aggressive defensive line.

Replacing him would be difficult, even if Palace receive the full £55 million fee. A large transfer sum provides spending power, but it does not guarantee that the right replacement will be available.

Palace would still need to identify a defender, agree a fee, negotiate personal terms and hope the player adapts quickly to English football. Including Acheampong in the deal would remove some of that uncertainty.

A Cash Plus Player Deal Makes Sense

Palace should not accept Acheampong as a replacement for most of the reported transfer fee even if he is massively rated at Chelsea. The ideal agreement would involve a substantial cash payment alongside a permanent move for the Chelsea youngster.

Chelsea may attempt to include a buy-back clause in any deal if a move was to be considered. Palace should resist an arrangement that would allow Chelsea to take the defender back cheaply after he develops at Selhurst Park.

A loan deal should also be avoided. If Lacroix leaves permanently, Palace need permanent solutions rather than another short-term fix. Developing Acheampong for one season before returning him to Stamford Bridge would only delay the problem rather than fix it. Palace should insist on either a permanent transfer or look elsewhere.

Palace Should Also Try to Bring Chalobah Back

Palace should also use the negotiations to make another attempt to bring Trevoh Chalobah back to the club. The Chelsea defender already knows Selhurst Park after his previous loan spell and would offer a safer immediate option than many of the defenders available elsewhere.

Chalobah understands the Premier League and is comfortable playing in a back three. He would also require very little time to adapt to the club or the expectations of English football.

Palace already know his character, his strengths and how he fits into the squad. That familiarity would be valuable during a summer in which the defence may undergo major change.

Chelsea reportedly value Chalobah at around £35 million, while Como are pushing to take him to Italy with a move touted as advanced. The defender is believed to be open to moving abroad, so Palace may have limited time to act and would have to gazump Como.

That should not stop them from trying. A return to Selhurst Park would give Chalobah regular Premier League football and an important role in the centre of the defence. He was part of England’s world cup squad and at 27 is reaching his prime. While he may not have world class potential he is a solid Premier League defender who would improve most sides apart from the big 6 in the league.

A Two Player Solution Could Transform the Deal

Demanding both Acheampong and Chalobah as direct makeweights in one transfer may be unrealistic. Palace could instead pursue the two players through separate parts of the same negotiation.

They should ask Chelsea to include Acheampong in the Lacroix package. Palace could then use some of the cash received to make a separate offer for Chalobah before his proposed move to Como is completed. If Chelsea want Maxence Lacroix badly, then this could be used as leverage for Palace to get their men.

That approach would immediately transform the situation. Chalobah would provide experience and stability, while Acheampong would offer youth, versatility and long-term potential.

Palace would effectively be replacing one senior defender with two players who could strengthen the squad in different ways. That would be far more valuable than simply banking £55 million and entering the market under pressure while other clubs know they have money to burn through.

Palace Must Use Their Strong Position

Chelsea would probably reject the opening proposal. Acheampong is highly regarded, while Chalobah appears to have strong interest from Italy.

Palace should not lower their ambitions before negotiations have properly begun. They hold a strong position because Lacroix has three years remaining on his contract and there is no immediate need to sell. He was also part of the French team that reached the semi finals of the world cup.

Chelsea would also be signing a proven Premier League defender from a rival. That should increase the price and give Palace every reason to demand a package that improves their squad.

If Chelsea are unwilling to discuss Acheampong or help Palace secure Chalobah, then Palace should be prepared to keep Lacroix. Selling one of their best defenders only makes sense if the transfer accelerates the rebuild.

A package involving cash and Acheampong, followed by a move to bring Chalobah back before he joins Como, would achieve that. If Chelsea really want Lacroix, Palace should look at what they can gain from the sale other than just cash.