Maxence Lacroix: Crystal Palace’s Key Player and European Star on the Rise

Maxence Lacroix, affectionately known as Crystal Palace’s ‘Mr. Reliable’, has been an absolute rock this season. The Frenchman has clocked every single minute—22 games, 22 starts, and 22 full matches in the Premier League.

Under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, Lacroix has played a pivotal role, showcasing his talents not just in the Premier League but also in Europe during their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign. In fact, no player in Europe’s top five leagues can boast more minutes than the former Wolfsburg centre-back, who has racked up a staggering 1980 minutes across all competitions.

This is a crucial season for Lacroix as he sets his sights on the upcoming FIFA World Cup next summer. “Playing for the France national team is a dream, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. I want to be part of that adventure. I watch all the squad announcements, hoping to get that call-up,” he revealed to L’Équipe last week, just before Crystal Palace’s UECL clash against RC Strasbourg Alsace.

Lacroix firmly believes that competing in the Premier League and going up against the world’s best strikers every weekend gives him the best chance of catching Didier Deschamps’ eye. With his consistency for the Eagles, he’s well on track to maintain that run until the season’s end.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle