Xabi Alonso sends clear Chelsea transfer message with multiple deals needed

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has revealed that he wants between four and five centre-backs in his squad this season.Chelsea are actively looking to facilitate the summer exits of Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile, while Mamadou Sarr is also expected to leave on loan.That would leave the club with Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Aaron Anselmino as Alonso’s centre-back options heading into the new Premier League campaign.There is plenty of work for Chelsea to do to further trim down their first-team squad, with the likes of Andrey Santos and Tyrique George having departed already in the current window to follow Marc Cucurella’s switch to Real Madrid.“Four or five. Is that accurate enough?” Alonso said with a laugh when asked by reporters in Sydney on Friday how many centre-backs he ideally wanted in his squad.Lacroix is considered a ready-made signing for Chelsea, who have been keen to add Premier League-proven experience to their squad this summer.New recruit: Chelsea have signed France defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal PalaceGettyThe 26-year-old stepped up in a leadership capacity at Selhurst Park following the departure of Palace captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January, and helped guide the Eagles to Conference League glory under Oliver Glasner.A French international with 70 Premier League appearances under his belt and a spotless injury record, Lacroix is expected to make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge.Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso knows Lacroix, who played for Wolfsburg before moving to Palace in 2024, from their time in the Bundesliga and expects the centre-back to be an important player for Chelsea, both now and in the future.Read More“I know Maxence from my time in the Bundesliga, but I think that his progression and his adaptation in the Premier League has been fantastic,” Alonso said.“Not just on the pitch as well, in terms of personality, leadership, he has these attributes. A very reliable player that will give us power in the defensive line, that has this assurance to have a direct impact on the team, I'm sure. So it's a great signing for now and for the future.”Alonso added: “He has a strong personality. He's mature, he wants to win, he has a winner mentality. And as well, he loves to defend and that's something I like as well.”