Crystal Palace may have found a clever way to begin rebuilding their defence after losing Maxence Lacroix without immediately spending another huge transfer fee.
Takehiro Tomiyasu to Crystal Palace is now expected to happen after the former Arsenal defender impressed during a trial and passed his medical. talkSPORT reports that the 27-year-old is set to join Palace on a free transfer.
Tomiyasu cannot simply recreate everything Lacroix offered Pierre Sage. However, his experience and versatility could make the free transfer particularly valuable while Palace continue reshaping their back line.
Takehiro Tomiyasu gives Crystal Palace valuable flexibility
Lacroix leaves a significant hole.
Chelsea agreed a deal worth around £51m-£52m for the France international after two excellent seasons at Selhurst Park. Sky Sports highlighted Lacroix’s pace and strength in one-on-one situations, qualities which made him particularly effective when Palace defended aggressively.
Tomiyasu offers a different profile.
He made 84 appearances for Arsenal and has considerable Premier League experience. He can play centrally but has also spent much of his career operating across different defensive positions, giving Sage another player capable of changing role depending on Palace’s shape.
That could become important if Sage moves between a back three and back four.
Tomiyasu has already had an opportunity to understand the manager’s demands. He trained with Palace in Italy and featured in the friendly victory over Al-Ula before the club decided to progress with a permanent move.
Palace do not need Tomiyasu to replace Lacroix alone
The biggest advantage may be what the deal allows Palace to do next.
ReadCrystalPalace reported when Lacroix’s £52m move advanced that Palace were already assessing several potential replacements. Chrislain Matsima was among the leading options at that stage, with Palace clearly aware that one addition might not be enough.
Tomiyasu arriving for nothing means a large portion of the Lacroix money remains available.
That could allow Palace to add another specialist centre-back rather than asking Tomiyasu to carry the entire burden of replacing one of last season’s most important defenders.
There is an obvious risk. Tomiyasu’s final seasons at Arsenal were badly disrupted by knee problems, while his short spell with Ajax produced only nine appearances. His successful Palace trial and medical are therefore significant, but his workload will still need managing.
Palace are also investing elsewhere. ReadCrystalPalace reported on Wednesday that talks are advanced over an £11m move for Zavier Gozo, showing Sage’s rebuild extends beyond defence.
Tomiyasu does not need to become another Lacroix for the transfer to work.
If Palace can get an experienced Premier League defender fit and contributing regularly without paying a fee, they will have strengthened Sage’s options while keeping the financial freedom to make another major defensive signing.
