Maxence Lacroix playing for Crystal Palace in their home kit

Maxence LacroixImago

Sources: Chelsea green light five player exits as medical is scheduled

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

25 Jul 2026, 12:00 pm

Chelsea are will to sell five of their senior centre-backs this summer once Crystal Palace star Maxence Lacroix has officially signed, sources have told Football Insider.

The 26-year-old defender is set to move to Stamford Bridge after a deal was agreed, with the medical set to take place on Saturday.

As a result, Chelsea have let intermediaries know they will accept offers this summer for Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Mamadou Sarr.

The Blues are already overloaded in this position, and will have nine centre-backs on their books once Lacroix signs for the club.

Chalobah could be the first of the defenders to leave, with reports indicating that Italian side Como have submitted a bid worth £25million for the England international.

However, it remains to be seen if such an offer will be accepted as Xabi Alonso looks to reshape his squad.

Can Chelsea survive such a high turnover of defenders this summer?

If Chelsea and Alonso get their wish, their remaining centre-backs for the upcoming campaign are set to be Lacroix, Josh Acheampong, Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill.

It would be expected that Lacroix and Colwill will be the two main centre-backs for the 2026-27 campaign, with the latter returning from the sidelines at the end of last season.

This could prove to be a formidable pairing in the Premier League, with the Palace defender already proving his quality for years at Selhurst Park.

Alonso will therefore be hoping to get a deal done for Lacroix as soon as possible so that he can form some type of partnership with Colwill during preseason.

However, it remains to be seen when Chelsea will announce the signing of the France international.

Chelsea at risk of 'ban from Europe' after mega signing completed - Stefan Borson

Who else could Chelsea sell this summer?

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has exclusively told Football Insider that Chelsea are likely to offload Enzo Fernandez before the end of the season.

The midfielder has been linked to the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid this summer.

Now, Wyness believes that the 25-year-old could be a liability for Alonso this season, which is something that he may not be willing to deal with long-term.

However, it remains to be seen if Chelsea will allow Fernandez to depart over the coming weeks.

Mamadou Sarr