According to a report by Football Transfer on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Chelsea’s summer signing Maxence Lacroix could indirectly contribute to the growing pressure on Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage, whose future has come under scrutiny following a series of disappointing results, including a heavy defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Chelsea secured the French defender from Crystal Palace for €60.7 million (£51 million) during the summer transfer window as part of their efforts to strengthen their backline. Lacroix has since made a positive impression at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues climb to fourth place in the Premier League standings.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace suffered a humiliating 5-0 loss to their fierce rivals Brighton on Sunday, a result that has intensified questions about Sage’s leadership. The Frenchman took charge of the club in June, replacing Oliver Glasner as head coach.

According to The Guardian, Sage must address Palace’s defensive weaknesses in the coming weeks to avoid the possibility of losing his job. However, the Daily Mail has suggested that the manager is facing an increasingly difficult situation because of the club’s recruitment decisions.

The newspaper believes Palace failed to find suitable replacements for Lacroix during the summer transfer window, leaving Sage with significant problems in defence. Chelsea loanees Honest Ahanor and Axel Disasi have struggled to adequately fill the gap left by the departed centre-back.

Palace had already sold Marc Guehi in January without bringing in a replacement before Lacroix also left the club during the World Cup. Journalist Bobby Manzi criticised the club’s transfer strategy, questioning whether the defenders brought in were good enough to strengthen the squad.

Manzi argued that Palace’s defensive additions arrived too late, giving Sage insufficient time to prepare them for the demands of a busy schedule. He also described the new signings as considerable downgrades, despite the club receiving £72 million from the sales of Guehi and Lacroix.

Disasi had previously helped improve West Ham’s defence during the second half of last season. However, he has been used in a central defensive role at Palace because the squad lacks a natural specialist for that position.

Ahanor, meanwhile, is considered a talented young defender but still lacks the experience needed to handle the demands of top-level football consistently. Palace also failed to land several of Sage’s preferred transfer targets, including Joel Ordonez, after negotiations with Club Brugge ended without an agreement.

The club’s attempts to sign Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima and Brest’s Raphael Le Guen were also unsuccessful, further limiting Sage’s options at the back.

Sage will now be hoping to ease the mounting pressure by securing a positive result when Crystal Palace travel to face Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday. The Eagles will subsequently welcome Newcastle United to Selhurst Park on Sunday in another important Premier League fixture.

Crystal Palace have recorded four victories from their ten matches under Sage this season, leaving the manager under pressure to deliver more consistent performances.

Chelsea, on the other hand, will look to build on their recent progress when they visit Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with the Blues aiming to secure a third consecutive Premier League victory.