(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Wed 25 March 2026 7:30, UK

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Crystal Palace are worried about the future of Maxence Lacroix after he was handed his first senior call-up to the France national team this week.

The 25-year-old was handed his first call-up after William Saliba dropped out with an injury and has proved his quality in Oliver Glasner’s side this season.

While there are no immediate concerns about the centre-back’s future and he remains happy as part of an ambitious squad at Selhurst Park, concerns have grown.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown warned Football Insider that Palace have already experienced issues with Jean-Philippe Mateta following his international recognition.

They are now determined not to see a repeat of those issues with Lacroix ahead of what looks set to be a difficult transfer window at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace fear Maxence Lacroix exit after France call

Brown told Football Insider in October that Mateta was being tempted to leave Palace by his France teammates “whispering in his ear” about Champions League football.

The striker later made it clear to the South London club that he was keen to move on, and refused to train or play to force through a move which never came to be.

Despite having no doubts about the strength of Lacroix’s character, and the belief that the centre-back is happy at Selhurst Park, the initial concerns are there.

“Crystal Palace will have some concerns about Maxence Lacroix,” Brown told Football Insider.

“We spoke about it with Mateta and I’ve seen it happen countless times, these players get international recognition and all of a sudden everything changes.

“Their agents are knocking on the door looking for pay rises, or they’re looking at interested clubs and whether they can capitalise on the talk surrounding them.

“They go away with France and everybody’s talking about playing in the Champions League and all of that sort of thing, and it has an impact.

“I don’t know him personally, but from what I’m told he seems to be a good character, he has a strong relationship with the fans and is happy at Crystal Palace.

“So in that respect I don’t think there will be any major concern, but after everything that happened with Mateta, it will be something they’re worried about.

“I watched him a lot at Wolfsburg and since then he’s gone to Palace and he’s been excellent, especially now in the absence of Marc Guehi where he’s stepped up.

“He’s such an important part of everything they do, so if there’s any suggestion he could leave it would be an issue, but it’s one to keep an eye on.”

Crystal Palace make plan to keep Lacroix at Selhurst Park

Interest in Lacroix ahead of the summer transfer window feels inevitable after what has been another successful season for the France international at Selhurst Park.

Brown told Football Insider on 4 March that Palace will bend over backwards to keep Lacroix and are doing everything in their power to deter interest.

The centre-back has been outstanding for the Eagles under Glasner, but ahead of what is set to be a difficult summer, they are extremely reluctant to let him go.

A number of big-name stars are expected to attract intense interest when the window opens, including the likes of Mateta and Adam Wharton.

While Palace remain hopeful of keeping hold of their best players, it may prove impossible to keep them all, but Lacroix is high on the list of players they want to keep.