Everton Are Set To Rival Crystal Palace For This Bundesliga Defender: Good Fit For The Toffees? | OneFootball

In a recent report, Bild mentioned that Everton are set to rival Crystal Palace for Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix this summer. It has been stated that the Toffees could face competition from the Eagles along with AC Milan and Juventus in the race to land the French centre-back later this year.

Lacroix is having a decent campaign at the German club as he has managed to put in a run of solid performances for them on the defensive end of the field. The 24-year-old has scored four goals and grabbed one assist in 28 appearances for Wolfsburg this season in various competitions.

The French sensation has been a dominant presence when defending inside his half and deserves some credit for averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.0 interceptions and 4.2 clearances per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga. He has also been tidy when distributing possession from the back based on his pass completion rate of 85.1% in the German first division (stats via whoscored).

His current contract at the German club will expire at the end of next season which could give Everton a chance to sign him on the cheap later this summer.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 25: Maxence Lacroix of VfL Wolfsburg in action during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg at Deutsche Bank Park on February 25, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

Is Lacroix A Good Fit For Everton?

Lacroix is a decent tackler of the ball and can read the danger well to earn the ball back for his team inside his half. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the offensive.

The French sensation can even play his way out from the back. He is currently enjoying his football in Germany but only time will tell whether he can cope with the physical side and high intensity of Premier League football.

Lacroix would inject more bite and steel into Everton head coach Sean Dyche’s backline. He is good enough to challenge for a regular starting spot at Goodison Park next season. Plus, the French defensive ace has what it takes to help the Merseyside club cope with fixture congestion better in the coming years.

At 24, the best is yet to come from Lacroix. Hence, he would be a great fit for Everton‘s needs in the long run if Dyche can devise a way to sign him on the cheap this summer.