Carragher: Lacroix struggles in Alonso's system as Chelsea defence rated average
Jamie Carragher says Chelsea's £52m summer signing Maxence Lacroix looks uncomfortable in Xabi Alonso's tactical setup. The former Liverpool defender told The Overlap Fan Debate that the 26-year-old French centre-back, who excelled in Crystal Palace's back three, lacks the mobility for Alonso's demanding man-to-man assignments in a four-man defence.
Carragher based his assessment on Chelsea's 2-0 home loss to Tottenham on October 24 and other matches this season. "Everyone was jumping out... it just didn't look comfortable to me, or mobile enough to be in a back four and jumping out to James Maddison," he said.
Lacroix has started all eight Premier League games since his July move on a six-year deal, mostly in a five-man defence but shifting to right centre-back when Alonso switches to a four.
Carragher didn't stop at Lacroix. He rated Chelsea's entire defence as "consistently average, ranging from six to seven out of ten" with no exceptional leader to anchor the backline. The one bright spot? Academy product Josh Acheampong at right-back, who Carragher praised for his development under Alonso.
With Chelsea sitting mid-table after a mixed start, the question becomes: can Lacroix adapt to the system's physical demands, or will Alonso need to adjust his tactics to accommodate a player who thrived in a different structure?