Chelsea told major summer signing could contribute to manager being sacked

Chelsea’s decision to sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace has reportedly contributed to the defensive difficulties facing the Eagles, with manager Pierre Sage coming under mounting pressure following a disappointing start to the season.

According to a report by Football Transfers on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Chelsea paid a reported €60.7 million (£51 million) to secure the French defender during the summer transfer window as they sought to strengthen their backline with an experienced Premier League performer.

Lacroix has reportedly adapted well to life at Stamford Bridge, helping Chelsea compete for a place among the league’s top four. However, his departure has left Palace struggling to maintain their defensive stability, with the problems becoming increasingly apparent during their humiliating 5-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

The heavy loss has intensified questions about Sage’s future. According to The Guardian, the Palace manager has been warned that he must improve the team’s defensive performances in the coming weeks to avoid the possibility of losing his job. The Daily Mail has similarly reported that the Frenchman faces a difficult challenge because the club failed to adequately replace several important defenders.

Lacroix had been a key figure in Palace’s defensive structure before leaving for Chelsea. His exit has exposed weaknesses that the club have struggled to correct, particularly after Marc Guehi also departed in January without a suitable replacement being brought in.

Despite reportedly receiving approximately £72 million from the sales of Guehi and Lacroix, Palace have found it difficult to recruit defenders capable of matching the quality of those who left.

The club signed Axel Disasi and brought in young defender Honest Ahanor on loan, but neither arrival has yet delivered the level of defensive security required. Their recruitment also came after the season had begun, leaving Sage with limited preparation time to integrate the newcomers into his tactical plans.

According to Daily Mail journalist Bobby Manzi, the timing of those arrivals has complicated the manager’s efforts to organise the defence. Disasi previously helped strengthen West Ham United’s backline during the second half of last season, but at Palace he has been deployed centrally despite the club’s need for a natural option in that area.

Ahanor, meanwhile, is regarded as a promising young defender who still requires time and experience to develop into a reliable first-team performer.

Palace’s difficulties were compounded by their failure to land several preferred transfer targets. Sage reportedly wanted Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge, but negotiations did not result in an agreement. The club also explored potential moves for Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima and Brest’s Raphael Le Guen, although neither pursuit produced a transfer.

These unsuccessful recruitment efforts have left the manager attempting to resolve significant defensive problems with a squad that appears short of the necessary depth and experience.

Sage took charge in June, replacing Oliver Glasner, but Palace have reportedly managed just four victories in their first 10 matches under his leadership this season.

The defeat against Brighton has further increased scrutiny of his work, with concerns growing over the team’s defensive organisation and consistency. Unless Palace can improve quickly, Sage could face a difficult period as the club’s hierarchy assesses whether he can reverse their declining performances.

Chelsea’s acquisition of Lacroix has proved beneficial to their own defensive ambitions, but Palace’s struggle to replace him and other departing defenders has emerged as a significant problem for Sage.