League: EPL Sport: Soccer Country: England Category: Scores & Results

Chelsea plans to reduce centre-backs as they sign Lacroix for £52m

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 31, 2026, 7:27 AM

Last updated Jul 31, 2026

Chelsea plans to reduce centre-backs as they sign Lacroix for £52m

Summary

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso announced plans to cut the number of central defenders from 10 to four or five. The club recently acquired Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52 million. Alonso also has Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and others on the squad as they prepare for a pre-season tour in Australia. Several players, including Mamadou Sarr, are expected to leave, while Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, and Axel Disasi are available for transfer. Chelsea aims to streamline its roster after a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Chelsea signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52 million.
•Xabi Alonso aims to reduce centre-backs to four or five.
•Chalobah, Badiashile, and Disasi are available for sale.
•Chelsea had a disappointing 10th-place finish in last season's Premier League.
•The club is finalizing preparations for a friendly against Tottenham.

Latest Updates

7:27 AMYahoo Sports — Chelsea will sell centre-backs - Alonso

What they're saying

"
Manager Xabi Alonso says Chelsea are looking to reduce their central defensive options from 10 to "four or five". The Blues signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52m on Thursday, but Alonso also has Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong and Aaron Anselmino in his squad on the club's pre-season tour of Australia.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Chelsea Tottenham Hotspur EPL Soccer