Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 30 March 2026 10:30, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Maxence Lacroix has been thrust into the spotlight away from Crystal Palace this week after making his first appearances for France.

The defender replaced William Saliba in Didier Deschamps’ squad and was handed his full debut on Sunday as his side beat Colombia 3-1 in the United States.

Lacroix has enjoyed another superb season for Palace, and has attracted interest from elsewhere ahead of this summer.

The 25-year-old is under contract at Selhurst Park until 2029, however, and will not be sold on the cheap if he is to go.

Palace signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg in 2024 in a deal worth around £18million – a fee that has looked more and more like a bargain in the time since.

French media rave about Maxence Lacroix

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider last week that Palace are worried about Lacroix, with interest in him expected to take a step up this summer.

The 25-year-old’s performance on Sunday could even see him emerge as a shock contender to go to the World Cup, which would certainly raise his transfer profile.

Lacroix was excellent on his full debut, completing nearly all of his passes and providing a calm and solid presence at the back.

The defender made several key defensive contributions, including four tackles and four clearances, and would have been frustrated to have lost his clean sheet when Jaminton Campaz scored.

Nonetheless, the Palace man has done enough to place himself in the thoughts of Deschamps, who is known for making selection decisions on a whim.

The World Cup-winning manager has his favourites, and if he takes a particular liking to Lacroix, he could well find himself heading back to North America this summer.

GFFN (GetFootballNewsFrance) reporter Jeremy Smith awarded the defender a 7/10 for his performance on Sunday, and wrote: “The big winner of this international meet?

“Was not in the original squad but looked comfortably the most assured of the four centre-backs to feature across the two matches.

“Dominant in the air, an excellent last-ditch block and began the move for France’s second too.”

When will Didier Deschamps announce his World Cup squad?

Lacroix will face plenty of competition for a place in Deschamps 26-man squad to go to the World Cup this summer.

Saliba is expected to start in North America, and he will likely be alongside one of Ibrahima Konate or Dayot Upamecano.

The likes of Lucas Hernandez and Pierre Kalulu also remain in the mix, with Deschamps certainly not facing a dearth of options.

Yet Lacroix’s performance on Sunday could well have thrown him up the pecking order. He will find out when the World Cup squad is announced on May 14.