Crystal Palace will have a lot to do during this summer transfer window if they are to add to their trophy cabinet next season. Oliver Glasner’s departure has certainly left a big void.
It will be up to Pierre Sage to fill that gap this season. Despite the French manager’s exploits with RC Lens during the previous campaign, it is going to be a tall task.
Although the Eagles have added 27-year-old defender Oscar Mingueza to their squad for the 2026-27 campaign in search of some experience, Sage might just need to brace for the departure of Maxence Lacroix, arguably Palace’s best centre-back last season.
Crystal Palace should be wary of Maxence Lacroix’s probable exit
Lacroix has been extensively linked with a move to Chelsea. He appears to be their top centre-back target this summer. But as per the reports, the Blues have yet to submit an official bid for the 26-year-old.
This has certainly put Crystal Palace in a difficult position at the moment, as they recently saw Marc Guehi move to Manchester City during the January transfer window, and now with Lacroix’s probable exit, the Eagles need to add some quality of their own at centre-back.
Undoubtedly, there has been a number centre-backs who have been linked with a move to Selhurst Park during the past couple of months, but the Eagles are yet to move into concrete talks with any of their defensive targets.
Crystal Palace shows interest in Chrislain Matsima
Now, a recent report from the Standard states that Crystal Palace hold an interest in FC Augsburg centre-back Chrislain Matsima. While there have been no club-to-club talks, he is one of a number of centre-backs under consideration.
Matsima currently plays his football in the Bundesliga for FC Augsburg and is known for the physicality which he brings to the pitch while playing as a central defender, apart from his ability to execute speedy recoveries, which is a unique feature for such a sturdy centre-back.
The 24-year-old has already made a name for himself in Germany and has also acquired the experience of playing with his national side during France’s run in the 2024 Olympics under Thierry Henry.
Palace need to intensify their efforts this summer
Matsima’s profile certainly looks appealing to Crystal Palace as of now but there are a few more centre-backs who are under the Eagles’ scanner currently, as they look to gear up for the new season under Sage.
Now, all they need to do, is convert their interests into actual efforts towards bringing their top targets to Selhurst Park during the span of this transfer window.
If Sage’s stint at the club is to stand up to what Glasner produced, the Crystal Palace management will have to provide him with the right players.
