Maxence Lacroix: Real Madrid’s defensive answer?

Los Merengues need defenders; how about Lacroix?

Real Madrid find themselves in a precarious position. A very high wage bill, an aging team, little to spend and a big player in Sergio Ramos to replace.

Despite bringing in versatile defender David Alaba from Bayern Munich, Los Blancos have also lost France international Raphael Varane. So Real are looking for a young, structured defender to partner with Alaba, and Maxence Lacroix could be just that.

Lacroix is a 21-year-old French centre-back, who started his career in Sochaux before moving to Wolfsburg, helping the latter club qualify for the UEFA Champions League in 2020/21.

The 6′ 3″ defenders rise has been a rapid one, adapting seamlessly to the Bundesliga in his first year with Wolfsburg, despite not having played top-flight football before.

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Lacroix’s defensive contribution was second to none and vital to Die Wolfe’s top four finish. In 2020/21, Lacroix made 2.6 interceptions per 90, 11.9 ball recoveries per 90, 4.8 tackles that recovered the ball per 90 and blocked 1.3 passes per 90. These numbers arguably make him one of the best right-sided defenders in Germany, already.

Lacroix also possesses other abilities, with his long passes making an impact and his ball control allowing him to carry the ball forward.  He knows how to use his size to press players off the ball and has the pace to close down forward attackers.

Lacroix has made a huge jump in his career, so it’s understandable to think he could do it again. It’s possible to argue that his form is down to him being partnered with Bundesliga veteran John Brooks, but that could be applied with Alaba, because although new to La Liga, the Austrian is a veteran at the top level of the game.

Lacroix would be a risk, and possible an expensive one with his age, but that could also be his pull, as he is the same age as the crop of youngsters Real have creeping into the first team picture. Lacroix could be part of a group that begins to form a new Real Madrid, should they take that risk.