Crystal Palace now have two players one game from a World Cup final, and the timing could become important for Pierre Sage’s first summer at Selhurst Park.
France will face Spain in Tuesday’s semi-final after La Roja beat Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles. Mikel Merino scored the late winner after Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubarsi’s shot, sending Spain through to face Didier Deschamps’ side.
For Palace, the semi-final has a clear club angle. Maxence Lacroix and Jean-Philippe Mateta are still involved with France, two games away from lifting the biggest trophy in football.
ReadCrystalPalace covered how Lacroix and Mateta reached the World Cup semi-final after France beat Morocco. Their extended run now brings opportunity and inconvenience in equal measure.
Lacroix’s Price Is Only Moving One Way
Lacroix’s World Cup has landed in the middle of a delicate transfer window.
Chelsea interest has already put his future under scrutiny, and ReadCrystalPalace’s live transfer news blog notes Palace have set a high asking price and would only sell with a replacement lined up.
A semi-final against Spain gives Palace another layer of leverage. Lacroix has already started for France in the knockout stage, and every strong performance on this stage makes a low offer harder to justify.
Palace do not need to rush. Sage is building a new team, and losing a first-choice centre-back late in the window would create more problems than it solves.
The World Cup has turned Lacroix into a bigger story. If Chelsea or anyone else want to act, Palace can demand a fee that reflects a centre-back trusted in the final week of a World Cup.
Sage Must Wait For Mateta And Lacroix
The football upside comes with a practical problem.
Palace are already into pre-season work, but Sage cannot properly shape his first-choice group while Mateta and Lacroix remain with France.
ReadCrystalPalace looked at that issue when France’s World Cup progress delayed Palace’s pre-season plans. The situation has now stretched further.
A run to the final would keep both players away until 19 July. Post-tournament leave would then push their full Palace return closer to August.
Mateta’s case is especially important. He is Palace’s main striker and needs time with Sage’s attacking structure. Lacroix also needs to settle into any defensive changes, particularly with Chadi Riad back after Morocco’s exit and Oscar Mingueza now joining the group.
Still, this delay is the price of elite-level recognition. Palace would rather have players succeeding deep into tournaments than returning early after disappointment.
Mingueza Adds A Spain Subplot
Spain’s involvement adds another Palace twist.
Palace confirmed Oscar Mingueza’s signing on a four-year deal this week, subject to international clearance. The Spanish defender now joins a dressing room with two France players waiting for a semi-final against his country.
It is a small detail, but one that helps show the direction of the squad. Palace are no longer watching major tournaments from the outside. Their players and new signings are directly involved in the biggest games.
For Sage, Tuesday brings two acceptable outcomes.
If France win, Lacroix and Mateta reach a World Cup final and Palace gain another week of profile. If Spain win, two key players move closer to returning before the new Premier League season.
Either way, Palace can take something from the night. Their players are in the conversation, their transfer leverage is stronger, and Sage’s squad looks more international than ever.
