- EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey
Many Crystal Palace fans are wondering whether Maxence Lacroix and Eddie Nketiah have been signed in time to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
In case you missed it, Dougie Freedman has agreed an £18m deal to sign Lacroix from VfL Wolfsburg, while Nketiah is set to arrive at Selhurst Park in a £30m move from Arsenal.
With a trip to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea awaiting Oliver Glasner and Crystal Palace on Sunday, many have been asking whether Maxence Lacroix and Eddie Nketiah were signed in time to feature.
We Are Palace can now provide some information on one of these players…
Crystal Palace registered Maxence Lacroix in time
Sources have told We Are Palace that Crystal Palace officially completed all documentation to sign the Frenchman on Thursday night.
Therefore, it is believed that Lacroix can play against Chelsea on Sunday if Glasner opts to include the 24-year-old in his starting XI.
UPDATE: Oliver Glasner has just confirmed in his press conference that no new signings will play against Chelsea – so it seems as if the bruised foot which kept Lacroix sidelined for VfL Wolfsburg’s last outing is yet to heal. Either that, or the Austrian is unwilling to throw the Frenchman into action without any training sessions at Copers Cope first.
Premier League clubs had until 12pm on Friday to register new signings in time for this weekend’s round of fixtures, so Crystal Palace cleared the deadline with plenty of time to spare.
We are Palace understand that the £30m deal to sign Nketiah was – however – not done on Thursday night when Lacroix’s arrival was finalised, so it remains to be seen if Crystal Palace can call upon the England international against Chelsea.
Good timing for Oliver Glasner
Before a deal for Lacroix was agreed with VfL Wolfsburg, Glasner was short of options in the centre-back department.
Joachim Andersen has just been sold to Fulham in a £30m move, and Chadi Riad then suffered a serious injury in Tuesday’s 4-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich, leaving Marc Guehi, Chris Richards and Rob Holding as the only natural options.
Nathaniel Clyne and Jefferson Lerma can also play in central defence if need be.
As Glasner states, Lacroix will not be involved against Chelsea, but his arrival comes at a good time for Crystal Palace nonetheless after plenty of activity in the centre-back department of late.
