Chelsea's Maxence Lacroix Could Be Out Until January with Hamstring Injury
Chelsea fear defender Maxence Lacroix faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious hamstring injury, with sources telling BBC Sport he could be out until January. The France international, 26, sustained the problem in Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.
- Player: Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea, 26)
- Injury: Serious hamstring, suffered vs Liverpool in Carabao Cup
- Expected return: Could be out until January, missing up to 10 matches
- Manager: Xabi Alonso confirms he won't be ready before the international break
- Next fixture: Chelsea host Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday
Injury and availability
Maxence Lacroix is set for a lengthy lay-off after suffering a serious hamstring injury. Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that the France international, 26, could be out until January, meaning he could miss up to 10 matches. The setback occurred at the end of the first half of Wednesday's Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool on penalties, as Lacroix sprinted and attempted to block a shot.
Sources inside Chelsea, including manager Xabi Alonso, have been guarded on the exact length of the absence. Alonso said: "Max, he picked up an injury, and we expect that he's not going to be ready before the international break. So he will be a few weeks out."
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is having a special mask fitted to play while recovering from a broken jaw. Midfielder Moises Caicedo avoided injury despite concerns after the midweek clash with Liverpool.
Defenders Jorrel Hato and Aaron Anselmino are also currently injured, leaving Chelsea short at centre-back.
What was said
"Max, he picked up an injury, and we expect that he's not going to be ready before the international break. So he will be a few weeks out."
"With Max's injury, we have Wes, we have Levi [Colwill], Josh [Acheampong], he could play as well as centre-back."
"Jorrel when he is back with the team [is an option]. Wes has played [and] even if he missed the penalty [in the shootout], I think that he had a good game."
"He was consistent, he was strong and I saw many positives from his performance. We know the level that he has had and he's going to be important."
Alonso's comments suggest Chelsea are preparing for a significant absence, even if the club is reluctant to put an exact timeline on Lacroix's return. The manager's mention of the international break as a benchmark indicates the injury is not a minor strain, and the possibility of a January return aligns with the more pessimistic internal fears reported by BBC Sport.
The quotes also reveal Alonso's immediate plan: rely on Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill as the primary centre-back pairing, with Josh Acheampong as cover. Fofana's performance against Liverpool, despite missing a penalty in the shootout, drew praise from the manager, who will need the Frenchman to stay fit given the mounting defensive absentees.
The numbers
- £52m: Fee Chelsea paid Crystal Palace for Lacroix in the summer
- 26: Lacroix's age
- 10: Matches Lacroix could miss if out until January
- 11: Chelsea matches across all competitions this season
- 1: Match Lacroix has not started for Chelsea this season (all but one of 11)
- 13: Chelsea's points from eight Premier League matches (fifth in the table)
- 1: Clean sheet kept by Chelsea in the Premier League this season
Why Chelsea's defensive depth will be tested
The loss of Maxence Lacroix is a significant blow for Xabi Alonso. Lacroix, a £52m summer signing from Crystal Palace, has started all but one of Chelsea's 11 matches across all competitions this season, and only attacker Morgan Rogers has played more minutes. His absence removes a key figure from a defence that has kept just one clean sheet in eight Premier League games.
Alonso's options are thinning. Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana are the obvious starters, with Josh Acheampong capable of filling in at centre-back. However, Jorrel Hato and Aaron Anselmino are also injured, leaving Chelsea's six-man centre-back group severely depleted. Others have also lined up at full-back, highlighting the makeshift nature of the backline.
Fofana's fitness is now paramount. The manager's public backing after the Liverpool shootout suggests he will lean heavily on the Frenchman, but Fofana's injury history means Chelsea may need to manage his minutes carefully. Acheampong's versatility could see him used in multiple roles, while the return of Hato cannot come soon enough.
With Chelsea fifth in the table and facing Manchester United on Saturday, the defensive reshuffle will be tested immediately. Alonso must find a way to maintain solidity without his most-used defender, and the coming weeks will reveal whether the squad can cope or whether the January window becomes a necessity.
Talking points
- Should Chelsea dip into the January transfer market for a centre-back, or trust the current squad to cover Lacroix's absence?
- Is Wesley Fofana capable of staying fit long enough to anchor the defence, given his history?
- Does the loss of Lacroix expose a lack of depth that could derail Chelsea's top-four hopes?
- Was selling Lacroix's former Palace teammate Marc Guehi a factor in Palace's willingness to do business?
What happens next
Chelsea host Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday, with Alonso set to field a patched-up defence. The Blues then face a run of fixtures that could define their season, and Lacroix's absence will be keenly felt. The club will monitor his recovery closely, but the fear of a January return means Chelsea may need to find solutions from within the squad or consider emergency reinforcements.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Maxence Lacroix out for?
Sources have told BBC Sport that Lacroix could be out until January, meaning he could miss up to 10 matches. Xabi Alonso said he expects the defender not to be ready before the international break.
What injury does Maxence Lacroix have?
Lacroix has suffered a serious hamstring injury. The setback occurred at the end of the first half of Wednesday's Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool on penalties.
Who will replace Maxence Lacroix in the Chelsea defence?
Xabi Alonso mentioned Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Josh Acheampong as options, with Jorrel Hato also an option when he returns from injury. Aaron Anselmino is also currently injured.
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