Jamie Carragher criticizes Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has expressed concerns regarding Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix’s ability to adapt to Xabi Alonso’s tactical system. Speaking on ‘The Overlap Fan Debate with Sky Bet’, Carragher noted that while Lacroix performed well in a back-three formation during his time at Crystal Palace, he appears uncomfortable in the man-to-man marking roles required by Alonso’s back-four setup.

Lacroix, who joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace for £52 million over the summer, has featured in all eight Premier League matches this season. Carragher suggested the 26-year-old lacks the mobility necessary for the current defensive demands, specifically citing his performance during Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Carragher further characterized the Chelsea defense as ‘average’, describing the players as ‘six out of ten, seven out of ten’ and noting a lack of a standout leader to anchor the unit. In contrast, he praised Cobham graduate Josh Acheampong for his performances at right-back.