AliousMaxence Lacroix made an impactful debut for Crystal Palace in their 2-2 draw against Leicester City.
The French center-back, signed from VfL Wolfsburg for £15.2m on transfer deadline day, was immediately thrust into the starting XI by manager Oliver Glasner, filling in for the departed Joachim Andersen.
He lined up alongside Marc Guehi and Nathaniel Clyne in a reshuffled defense that had little time to build chemistry, given Lacroix’s late arrival and the international break.
Despite these challenges, Lacroix, previously Wolfsburg’s vice-captain, quickly displayed the leadership qualities that made him a prominent figure in Germany. Before the match, the 24-year-old took control during the pre-game huddle, delivering an impassioned speech to rally his new teammates.
This gesture, captured in fan footage and shared widely on social media, showed Lacroix gesticulating emphatically and encouraging his teammates with strong words, even in the presence of established leaders like captain Marc Guehi and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who captained France at the Olympics.
For a player who had just joined the squad, his willingness to step up in this way demonstrated his strong character and commitment to the team, which was surely noted by Glasner.
On the field, Lacroix had a solid individual performance, even though Crystal Palace conceded two goals against the run of play to Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi.
He was not directly at fault for either goal, and given the recent defensive reshuffle, it was clear that cohesion was lacking among the backline. Still, Lacroix held his own.
The Frenchman won four out of six ground duels and four out of six aerial battles, contributing significantly to Palace’s defensive efforts.
He also made one key pass during the game, showing his ability to contribute offensively when needed.
In addition to his defensive duties, Lacroix also impressed with his passing range, completing 11 of 14 attempted long balls.
This suggests that he could take over Joachim Andersen’s role in distributing the ball from the back, helping to initiate attacks and stretch the opposition.
His composure and accuracy in this regard will be an asset to Palace as they look to build play from deep positions.
With more time to integrate into the squad and work on his partnerships with Marc Guehi and the rest of the backline, Lacroix seems set to become an important figure at Selhurst Park.
His debut showcased his potential to not only be a reliable defender but also a leader on and off the pitch.
As he settles into life in the Premier League, Palace fans will be excited to see how the £15.2m signing continues to develop and contribute to the team’s success.
Alious
