EPL: Carragher names Chelsea player not comfortable with Alonso’s tactics

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has identified Chelsea centre-back Maxence Lacroix as a player who appears uncomfortable with manager Xabi Alonso‘s tactical system.

Carragher believes the £52 million summer signing from Crystal Palace may lack the mobility required to perform effectively in Alonso’s demanding man-to-man defensive setup.

Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, presented by Sky Bet, Carragher praised Lacroix’s performances at Crystal Palace, particularly when playing in a three-man defensive formation. However, he expressed doubts about the defender’s suitability for a four-man backline.

His assessment followed Chelsea’s 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham on October 24, alongside his observations of the club’s performances throughout the current Premier League campaign.

“But I look at the signing of Maxence Lacroix, and I really liked him at Crystal Palace in a back three,” Carragher said.

He continued, “But I was watching him against Tottenham and in other games this season, and I was seeing him pressing man-to-man, and everyone was jumping out, and it just didn’t look comfortable to me, or mobile enough to be in a back four and jumping out of man-to-man marking and jumping out to James Maddison.”

Lacroix, 26, joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace in July on a six-year contract. He has featured in all eight of Chelsea’s Premier League matches, mainly operating centrally in a five-man defence, although Alonso has also deployed him as a right centre-back when switching to a back four.

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Carragher also criticised Chelsea’s overall defensive performances, describing the unit as lacking consistency and outstanding leadership. However, he praised young defender Josh Acheampong for his development at right-back under Alonso’s management.