Maxence Lacroix

Maxence Lacroix spent four formative seasons at VfL Wolfsburg after leaving Sochaux, establishing himself as one of the Bundesliga's more reliable young centre-backs before joining Crystal Palace in 2024. Tall, aggressive in the challenge, and comfortable playing out from the back, he has adapted well to the Premier League's physical demands. At 26, he sits on the fringes of the French national team picture, competing for depth positions behind Saliba, Konaté, and Koundé. His consistent club form and Bundesliga pedigree give him a legitimate case, though breaking into Deschamps' preferred defensive unit remains a significant challenge.