Crystal Palace are seemingly preparing for life after French star Maxence Lacroix as they step up their pursuit for a replacement. Lacroix has been remarkable in South London since his £14.9m move from VfL Wolfsburg in 2024, playing a key role in the club’s recent success. 

After a stellar campaign, leading Palace to yet more silverware in the form of the Europa Conference League, Lacroix’s performances have attracted the attention of England’s biggest clubs, with Chelsea reportedly eyeing a move to acquire Lacroix’s services. 

As that move nears completion, Palace will look for a replacement elsewhere, and a handful of targets have been prepared should Chelsea meet Palace’s demands for the player. 

According to Graeme Bailey, Palace have returned with interest for a target of previous windows, Toulouse central defender Charlie Cresswell. 

The former Leeds United player took the leap to Ligue Un in pursuit of consistent game time. Two years on, and Cresswell is not only developing into a strong central defender, but his name has been on the lips of a number of Premier League clubs. 

Last Summer, numerous clubs in England’s top flight showed interest, but again Cresswell opted to stay put and continue to develop. Now 23, he’s reaching his best years, and a move to one of the best clubs for young players in Europe. 

Other targets have been identified, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashille, Axel Disasi and former Palace loanee Trevoh Chalobah all linked. These names are likely being touted due to Chelsea being unlikely to stump up the price tag that Palace will demand, and Cresswell remains the Eagles’ priority. 

Cresswell’s overall game is reminiscent of Lacroix. He’s athletic and has a strong recovery pace, also possessing an Aaron Wan-Bissaka esc slide tackling ability which sees him not only win the ball, but maintain possession. 

In terms of goal threat, Cresswell scored one more goal than Lacroix, assisting three times too. 

At a very basic level, he loves to defend. He demonstrates a similar passion to that of Palace’s current crop of centre halves, pumping his chest when he makes a block or bellowing to the crowd after a well-timed clearance. 

He’s extremely aggressive, and uses intelligence and timing to step out of the defensive line to win the ball, often intercepting potentially dangerous passes preventing promising attacks. 

Cresswell uses his frame to wrap his legs around forwards, leaving them with no choice but to surrender the ball, and carries a similar level of aggression into his aerial duels. His 65% success rate betters Lacroix's (61%), Chris Richards’ (57%), only bettered by Jaydee Canvot’s (66%). 

Cresswell presents as a perfect fit for Palace’s likely system under Pierre Sage, and Palace too for the current stage in the player’s career. 

The benefit of the South London club’s recent strategy is that the success in springboarding the likes of Ebere Eze, Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and now Lacroix, is that there is a clear pathway to a higher level through Palace. 

Cresswell would likely fetch a fee in the region of £20 million, which would not only be a strong profit for Toulouse but a relative bargain for Palace.