Who Replaces Maxence Lacroix at Crystal Palace? FPL Winners and Losers

Transfer and pre-season information checked: 1 August 2026

Maxence Lacroix has left Crystal Palace for Chelsea.

The move removes a centre-back who combined secure minutes, clean sheets, bonus and defensive contributions.

Palace have already signed versatile Spain defender Oscar Mingueza, but the replacement may be decided through a wider tactical change under new manager Pierre Sage.

The replacement candidates

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Jaydee Canvot

Canvot established a larger role after Marc Guehi left for Manchester City last season.

Official FPL analysis highlighted his defensive-contribution returns late in the campaign.

Lacroix's departure can make him more important.

FPL strengths

• Defensive-action potential
• Possible budget price
• Existing Palace experience
• Route to regular starts
• Set-piece involvement

Risks

• Palace may sign another centre-back
• Pierre Sage can use a different formation
• Young defenders can be rotated
• World Cup players are returning gradually

Current verdict: Best budget replacement candidate.

Chris Richards

Richards returned to pre-season action on 31 July and started beside Canvot and Borna Sosa.

He provides Premier League experience, aerial ability, defensive contributions and versatility across a back three.

If he starts centrally, he can inherit part of Lacroix's defensive workload.

Current verdict: Strongest experienced centre-back candidate.

Oscar Mingueza

Palace signed Mingueza from Celta Vigo on a four-year contract.

The club describes him as capable of playing anywhere across the back line.

His first interview highlighted forward passing, crossing, driving with the ball and defending higher.

Possible roles

• Right centre-back in a three
• Right-back in a four
• Right wing-back
• Left or central cover

His FPL appeal rises dramatically when used as a wing-back.

Current verdict: Highest attacking upside, role not settled.

Chadi Riad and Borna Sosa

Riad can provide left-footed balance when fit.

Sosa can operate as a left-sided defender or wing-back and offers more crossing potential.

Their value depends on final-friendly minutes and the formation Sage selects.

Daniel Muñoz

Muñoz remains Palace's leading attacking defender.

Lacroix's departure can reduce clean-sheet confidence, but a back-three system can preserve Muñoz's advanced wing-back role.

He should still be judged mainly through attacking output, role and minutes.

Tyrick Mitchell

Mitchell has featured during pre-season and can play as a left-back or wing-back.

His value depends on competition from Sosa, the chosen shape and whether he retains enough crossing responsibility.

Dean Henderson

The goalkeeper's save potential remains useful.

Lacroix's departure can produce more shots faced and more saves, but also lower clean-sheet probability and greater set-piece vulnerability.

More saves do not automatically compensate for lost clean sheets.

Early pre-season evidence

Pierre Sage's first friendly used split teams and several academy players.

In the 31 July match, Canvot and Richards started together with Sosa, while Mitchell also featured.

This is useful evidence but not the final Gameweek 1 defence.

Back three versus back four

Back three

Possible centre-backs include Richards, Canvot, Mingueza, Riad and Sosa.

Muñoz and Mitchell can play as wing-backs.

Back four

Mingueza or Muñoz can play right-back, with Richards and Canvot or Riad centrally and Mitchell on the left.

This can reduce the attacking freedom of the full-backs.

Defensive-contribution impact

Lacroix consistently collected defensive actions.

Those actions are not simply transferred to one replacement.

The volume depends on position, opponent, aerial duels, crosses faced, possession and tactical pressing.

Canvot and Richards are the most natural contribution candidates.

Opening fixtures

Palace begin away to Everton before hosting Manchester City.

Ipswich later visit during the early schedule.

The Manchester City fixture reduces the attraction of starting multiple Palace defenders immediately.

Use OneFPL Fixtures before selecting a double-up.

Early FPL ranking

This is an early ranking, not a final recommendation.

OneFPL verdict

Do not assume Mingueza directly replaces Lacroix.

The likely outcome is a competition between Canvot, Richards, Mingueza, Riad and Sosa within a new defensive structure.

For FPL:

• Muñoz remains the premium attacking choice
• Canvot can become the budget winner
• Richards offers the safer centre-back profile
• Mingueza can become the breakout pick as a wing-back
• Henderson loses some clean-sheet confidence

Review the final friendly through OneFPL Team News.

FAQ

Who is most likely to replace Lacroix?

Canvot and Richards have strong routes to centre-back starts, while Mingueza is another candidate.

Is Mingueza a centre-back?

He can play across the defence, including centre-back, full-back and potentially wing-back.

Is Muñoz still a good FPL pick?

Yes, when his attacking wing-back role remains secure.

Does Lacroix leaving make Henderson a bad option?

Not automatically. Henderson may gain saves but lose clean-sheet probability.

Should I buy a Palace defender now?

Only when the player has a secure role independent of the remaining competition.

Sources

• Crystal Palace confirm Lacroix departure
• Palace confirm Mingueza signing
• Palace pre-season team news on 31 July
• Official FPL defensive analysis

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