Crystal Palace may have a Chelsea escape route to soften the blow if Maxence Lacroix leaves Selhurst Park after the World Cup.
We Are Palace reports that Josh Acheampong could become part of the conversation around Lacroix, with Chelsea expected to push for the France international as Xabi Alonso reshapes his defence.
FootballTransfers has also claimed Chelsea are set to sign Lacroix for around €55million once his World Cup involvement ends.
That creates an immediate question for Pierre Sage.
Palace should not treat Acheampong as a replacement for Lacroix’s full authority, but he could help reduce the damage if Chelsea turn interest into a firm deal.
Sage Handed Potential Centre-Back Solution
The Acheampong angle matters because Palace’s centre-back depth would come under pressure quickly if Lacroix departs.
Chris Richards, Chadi Riad and Jaydee Canvot give Sage options, but losing a senior defensive leader before a Europa League campaign would leave a clear recruitment gap.
Read Crystal Palace has already examined why Lacroix’s Chelsea link creates a major transfer test for the Eagles, and Acheampong now gives that debate a practical next step.
The same We Are Palace report notes that Palace tried to sign Acheampong in January after Marc Guehi’s exit, meaning this is not a name being dropped into talks cold.
At 20, the Chelsea defender would fit the Palace model: young, English, technically secure and capable of growing into a bigger role.
Palace should still treat cash as the priority.
Lacroix has three years left on his contract and his value has risen through international exposure.
But if Chelsea want the deal badly enough, an Acheampong pathway could turn a damaging sale into a more controlled defensive reset.
