{"id":2164,"date":"2026-08-25T12:04:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T12:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=2164"},"modified":"2026-08-25T12:04:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T12:04:57","slug":"maxence-lacroix-had-memorable-chelsea-debut-vs-fulham-as-stats-show-just-how-solid-he-was","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=2164","title":{"rendered":"Maxence Lacroix had memorable Chelsea debut vs Fulham as stats show just how solid he was"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Despite Chelsea conceding two goals against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night, Xabi Alonso will still be pleased with Maxence Lacroix\u2019s performance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lacroix<\/a> was making his Chelsea<\/a> debut following his \u00a352m move from Crystal Palace this summer and helped his side win 3-2 in their first game of the season.<\/p>\n

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The central defender even managed to register an assist after an excellent bit of play down the right, setting up fellow debutant Morgan Rogers.<\/p>\n

He looked like a right winger as he beat his man before passing the ball to Rogers for a tap-in!<\/p>\n

Chelsea bought the 26-year-old to defend, though, and he did just that at Craven Cottage.<\/p>\n

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Enough is enough! It\u2019s time to replace Robert Sanchez, but who should Chelsea sign? \ud83d\ude24<\/h3>\n

He made two more mistakes against Fulham on Monday \ud83e\udd26\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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According to Sofascore<\/a>, only Josh Acheampong (15) made more defensive actions<\/a> than Lacroix (12) during Monday night\u2019s west London derby.<\/p>\n

Breaking that down, in total, Lacroix made five tackles, four clearances, two interceptions and one block. Two of his tackles were last man challenges as well.<\/p>\n

Aerially, the Frenchman could have done better. He won just two out of eight aerial duels, but overall, it was a debut to remember.<\/p>\n

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\"Maxence<\/div>
Photo by Chris Lee- Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is easy to understand why Lacroix was Chelsea\u2019s No.1 centre-back target this summer. As we saw on Monday, the France international is a very solid and aggressive defender, but he is also an experienced footballer with leadership qualities.<\/p>\n

Before the game, Lacroix was seen giving a team talk<\/a>, which was good to see, especially with the possibility of Enzo Fernandez leaving before the transfer deadline.<\/p>\n

Fernandez is one of the few leaders in this Chelsea dressing room, often captaining the team in Reece James\u2019 absence. However, despite Chelsea claiming that the World Cup<\/a> winner would not be sold after their self-imposed deadline, it looks as though he could still join Manchester City.<\/p>\n

It means Alonso<\/a> needs players like Lacroix to step up and be a voice on the pitch.<\/p>\n

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