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Crystal Palace tracking Brest defender Le Guen as Lacroix nears Chelsea move

Crystal Palace tracking Brest defender Le Guen as Lacroix nears Chelsea move

Crystal Palace are monitoring Brest defender Raphael le Guen as they prepare for Maxence Lacroix’s likely departure to Chelsea.

The 19-year-old centre-back made his first professional appearance for Brest in August 2025, coming on as a late substitute during a 3-1 loss at Lens on the 29th.

Le Guen featured six times in Ligue 1 during the 2025-26 campaign, with his final four starts coming in matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg.

The Eagles have previously shown willingness to recruit young French centre-backs, having secured Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse last season. The 19-year-old Canvot filled the void left by captain Marc Guehi’s exit and has since established himself as a regular in the backline.

Palace are also considering Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima as a potential replacement for Lacroix. The 24-year-old former France youth international is receptive to joining Selhurst Park, where he would be reunited with new head coach Pierre Sage, the French appointment brought in during the summer.