According to a report by FootballTransfers on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is facing increasing pressure following the club’s defensive struggles after selling centre-back Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

Sage’s position has reportedly come under scrutiny following a disappointing run of results, including a heavy 5-0 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Chelsea signed Lacroix from Crystal Palace for a reported €60.7 million (£51 million) as they looked to strengthen their defensive options. The French centre-back has made a positive impression at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues establish themselves among the Premier League’s top four.

However, his departure has left Palace struggling to find an adequate replacement, adding to the challenges facing Sage, who took charge in June following Oliver Glasner’s departure.

Reports from The Guardian and the Daily Mail indicate that Sage needs to improve Palace’s defensive performances to ease concerns about his future. The club have reportedly won only four of their first 10 matches under his leadership this season.

Palace also lost Marc Guehi in January without bringing in a replacement, leaving another gap in their defence. Despite reportedly receiving £72 million from the sales of Guehi and Lacroix, the club have struggled to recruit players capable of maintaining the defensive stability they previously enjoyed.

The Eagles subsequently brought in Honest Ahanor on loan and signed Axel Disasi, but the new arrivals have yet to resolve their defensive problems.

According to the Daily Mail’s Bobby Manzi, both players arrived after the season had already started, leaving Sage with limited time to integrate them into his tactical system.

Disasi previously helped strengthen West Ham United’s defence during the second half of last season but has been required to play in a central defensive role at Palace. Ahanor, meanwhile, is regarded as a promising young defender who still needs time to develop.

Palace’s recruitment difficulties have further complicated Sage’s situation. The manager reportedly wanted to sign Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge, but negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

Attempts to recruit Chrislain Matsima from Augsburg and Raphael Le Guen from Brest also proved unsuccessful.

With efforts to secure defensive reinforcements yet to deliver the desired results, Sage must find solutions within his existing squad as pressure continues to mount following the heavy defeat against Brighton.