MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace celebrates during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at Etihad Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
£18m Crystal Palace star is going to become more important than Guehi
Oliver Glasner entered his first full season at Crystal Palace after losing two of his key players from last season, with Michael Olise joining Bayern Munich and Joachim Andersen joining Fulham.
As a result, Crystal Palace spent around £78.5m in the 2024/25 season, making five permanent signings and two loan signings in the summer window, with a further one permanent signing and one loan move in January.
| Crystal Palace 2024/25 signings | |
|---|---|
| Player | Fee (£) |
| Eddie Nketiah | £25.4m |
| Maxence Lacroix | £15.4m |
| Ismaila Sarr | £12.8m |
| Chadi Riad | £12.8m |
| Romain Esse | £12.1m |
| Daichi Kamada | £0 |
| Data taken from Transfermarkt | |
Many have spoken about the impact of losing Olise and effectively replacing his output, but after also losing Andersen, the Eagles bought two new defenders on permanent deals, as well as Trevoh Chalobah on loan from Chelsea.
Crystal Palace’s defensive numbers in 2024/25
This season, Palace are averaging 43% possession per game, giving them the fourth lowest possession numbers in the Premier League.
However, with this, the Eagles have formed a formidable defensive unit, conceding 12.9 shots per game and only conceding 1.36 goals per game – having notably held off Bournemouth last time out despite losing Chris Richards to a red card.
Playing in Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 system, the three central defenders and two wingbacks have formed a brilliant defensive contingent, pulling the Eagles up to comfortably in mid-table in the league this term.
Crystal Palace star will become more important than Guehi
The likes of Richards, Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell have all been key to this defensive solidity, but one summer signing has arguably been the most important in their entire back line, bringing a new dynamic to Glasner’s defence this campaign.
Crystal Palace bought a certain Maxence Lacroix from Wolfsburg for a fee that will reach up to £18m. The 25-year-old has made 35 appearances for the club since joining, scoring once, providing one assist and contributing to 12 clean sheets in his 3,209 minutes played.
The French defender has been deployed as the central centre-back in Glasner’s back three, often partnered by Guehi to his left and Richards to his right.
The addition of Lacroix has added some much-needed recovery pace to their backline, as well as some extra aggression when jumping out to press.
When comparing the underlying metrics of both Lacroix and Marc Guehi this season, you can see how their roles differ.
| Maxence Lacroix vs Marc Guehi comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (per 90 mins) | Lacroix | Guehi |
| Goals + Assists | 0.06 | 0.14 |
| Progressive Carries | 0.28 | 0.67 |
| Progressive Passes | 1.99 | 4.10 |
| Pass Completion % | 82.1% | 83.4% |
| Tackles | 2.20 | 1.80 |
| Blocks | 1.33 | 1.73 |
| Interceptions | 1.65 | 0.86 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 1.89 | 2.13 |
| Stats taken from FBref | ||
Guehi has better passing numbers, often orchestrating from the back with his progressive nature, whilst Lacroix is more of the defensive aggressor, making more tackles and interceptions to regain possession for his side.
Premier League legend Alan Shearer labelled Lacroix a “commanding” presence in the heart of the Palace defence, something that has been echoed this season by plenty of Eagles fans.
With many fans unsure about Guehi’s future entering the last season of his contract next campaign, the signing of Lacroix is even sweeter, knowing, no matter what, the Frenchman will be at the club next season. Thus, he could soon become even more important to Glasner and Co.
