Chelsea set to clash with Western Sydney Wanderers in pre-season opener
Chelsea is gearing up for a pivotal pre-season match against Western Sydney Wanderers, scheduled for late July. This encounter marks the only pre-season fixture officially confirmed ahead of the team’s upcoming campaign.
The Premier League giants will have Xabi Alonso at the helm when the league resumes in mid-August, following his recent appointment as head coach.
Alonso takes over from Liam Rosenior, who stepped in for Enzo Maresca back in January. Unfortunately, Rosenior’s tenure lasted just four months before he was relieved of his duties due to an alarming sequence of poor performances.
With an impressive track record from his time at Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, Alonso arrives at Stamford Bridge tasked with revitalizing the club. Notably, he will not have to juggle European competitions in his inaugural season, as Chelsea missed out on qualification last term.
As Chelsea prepares for their trip to Sydney, reports suggest that the club is closing in on a vital addition to their defensive lineup.
Spanish outlet Fichajes indicates that the Blues are working to finalize a deal for French defender Maxence Lacroix, currently of Crystal Palace.
The plan is for Chelsea to complete the signing once the World Cup concludes, as Lacroix is currently representing the French national team in North America, where Les Bleus are expected to make a deep run in the tournament.
Reportedly, the deal could be valued at around £47 million, largely due to Lacroix’s remaining three-year contract with the Eagles.
Having joined Palace from Wolfsburg in 2024, Lacroix has made a considerable impact, with 98 appearances across all competitions. Over the past year, he has established himself as one of the most dependable central defenders in the Premier League, and his standout performances have certainly caught the attention of bigger clubs.
While Crystal Palace is hesitant to part ways with a player of Lacroix’s caliber, it appears they are open to negotiations if their financial expectations are met.
