Chelsea's transfer strategy under the current ownership has largely centred on youth, but Sky Sports reports the club are prepared to bend that approach for Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.
Notably, Chelsea haven't paid a fee for a player aged 26 or over since the summer of 2022, when the Sterling and Koulibaly deals both failed to deliver. Lacroix, however, is reportedly viewed as an exception worth making.
According to Sky Sports, the Frenchman has developed into one of the Premier League's most reliable defenders since joining Palace, prized for his pace, his composure in one-on-one duels, and his growing leadership on the pitch — qualities that have caught Chelsea's eye as they look to add experience and defensive steel to their backline.
While nothing is confirmed, the report suggests Chelsea see Lacroix as a rare case where straying from their usual transfer model could be justified, with the 25-year-old fitting the profile of a defender who could immediately strengthen Enzo Maresca's squad rather than requiring lengthy development.