The Best Defender You Aren’t Talking About

Maxence Lacroix has been Wolves’ most consistent performer this season, yet when pundits dissect the league’s top defenders, his name seldom features. This is a travesty. The Frenchman has quietly evolved into a complete centre-half, blending elite recovery pace with progressive passing that fuels Gary O’Neil’s transition game.

From Bundesliga Afterthought to Premier League Stalwart

When Wolves signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg in August 2024 for a modest £20m, eyebrows were raised. In Germany, he was seen as raw, prone to lapses in concentration. Fast forward to May 2025: no Wolves defender has completed more forward passes per 90 or won a higher percentage of aerial duels. His 63.4 progressive passes per 90 ranks sixth among Premier League centre-backs, ahead of John Stones and Virgil van Dijk.

His speed covers for a high line that would otherwise be suicidal. Against Liverpool in March, Lacroix stopped three counter-attacks single-handedly, including a recovery sprint to deny Mohamed Salah a clear run on goal. That performance earned him a standing ovation from the Molineux faithful, but national coverage focused on Salah’s frustration, not Lacroix’s intervention.

The Tactical Glue in O’Neil’s System

Wolves play a risky brand of football: aggressive pressing from the front, a high defensive line, and full-backs who bomb forward. Without Lacroix, this system would collapse. He is the sweeper who allows Rayan Aït-Nouri to roam and the ball-player who bypasses midfield pressure.

  • He leads Wolves in interceptions (47) and blocks (28) this season.
  • His pass completion under pressure is 89.1%, third best in the squad.
  • He has made 14 last-man tackles, more than any teammate.

These numbers might sound like functional stats, but they underpin the entire defensive structure. When Lacroix misses a match—he has started 32 of 37 league games—Wolves’ expected goals conceded jumps by 0.9 per 90. That is not coincidence.

Why He Remains Overlooked

Critics argue Lacroix benefits from playing in a mid-table side where defensive errors are less scrutinised. They say his distribution is safe, his positioning reliant on speed. But a deeper look tells a different story. His 1.8 key passes per match rank first among Wolves centre-backs and his creative contribution is comparable to that of a holding midfielder.

Moreover, his recovery stats are not a safety net for poor positioning; they are a deliberate tactic. O’Neil instructs Lacroix to step out aggressively to win the ball high, trusting his pace to recover if beaten. Few centre-backs execute this balance of risk and reliability.

The Verdict: A Future Elite Centre-Half

Lacroix will not be under the radar for long. If Wolves sell him this summer—and with a £45m release clause, it is likely—he will move to a top-six club and immediately improve their defence. Expect him to be a regular feature in the Ligue 1 or Premier League Team of the Season within two years. The only surprise is that it took so long for English football to notice.

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