With the full-time whistle blown, Maxence Lacroix bounded over to the Holmesdale Road end. He clenched his fists tightly, roared his approval and pumped his arms in front of the Crystal Palace supporters.
A first win of the season was greeted with a passionate celebration from many of the Palace players, but it was Lacroix who was most vociferous in his appreciation for the support and acknowledgement of his team’s performance as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0.
The Frenchman, who signed from Wolfsburg in the summer for an initial €18million (£15.2m; $20m), displayed a jubilant off-pitch mood that reflected his outstanding performance on it. After a slow start to life in south London for the defender where he looked out of sorts, struggling to adjust to the Premier League in the early moments, he has gradually developed into a strong starting option at the heart of the Palace defence.
It is difficult to adapt to a new country and style of football, which in part explains Lacroix’s inauspicious start this season, but he was imperious against Spurs, making perfectly timed challenges, positioning himself to avoid being caught on the wrong side of opponents — in particular Spurs’ record signing, Dominic Solanke.
If adapting to the Premier League is a challenge in itself, then doing so in a team spoilt by the ease with which Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi settled into life after their arrivals from Lyon and Chelsea respectively in 2021 adds an extra element of difficulty.
That was under former boss Patrick Vieira, but the pair continued to be important under Oliver Glasner before Andersen’s departure to Fulham in the final week of this summer’s transfer window, even if Guehi was injured for most of the run-in last season.
There is also the issue of leadership. Andersen was never shy in the dressing room; one of the most vocal players on and off the pitch who demanded exceptional standards from his team-mates.
Palace have unquestionably missed that in the opening stages of this campaign, but Lacroix has gradually developed a presence with his team-mates in public and private, which was evident against Spurs. It is not the same outward style of leadership as Andersen, but he has made a positive impression.
On the pitch, he marshalled Spurs’ front line expertly. There had been an improvement — against Nottingham Forest especially — but this was the first time Lacroix had stepped out of the shadows of his two central defensive partners.
This was one of the most commanding defensive performances from a Palace centre-back for a long time, and he also contributed going forward. His calm manner on the ball meant he could turn out of trouble and play quick passes forward.
There was an excellent challenge on Solanke early in the first half which, if it had been anything other than perfect, would certainly have handed the visitors a penalty. But that was the theme of his game; putting his foot in where it was risky but coming away having succeeded.
Another factor to consider is that Glasner has now named a consistent back three for the last three games — against Liverpool, Forest and now Spurs. Familiarity has been lacking for most of this Palace side, particularly with four arrivals so late in the transfer window. That is problematic for all positions, but in defence it is especially troublesome.
“We had very late signings (who had) no pre-season together,” Glasner said in his post-match press conference. “Don’t judge them after three or four weeks — it’s the same with Maxence. Today was the third time the back three played together and we all agree it looks better from game to game — they all understand each other. We always believe in our players.
“(Lacroix has come into a) new team with no pre-season and is starting every game,” Glasner added. “Then we don’t have the results (we want) and it’s not that easy.”
Supporters must also be won over, presenting a further obstacle. After poor results, it is easy to focus on the negatives, as had been the case in Lacroix’s early performances. His post-match excitement was an excellent way to endear himself to the fans, who are now starting to appreciate him, but it was underpinned by excellence on the pitch.
The 24-year-old played under Glasner at Wolfsburg and was a player the manager was eager to bring to Palace, regardless of whether Guehi remained. He is an accomplished defender who has presence and is composed on the ball. He defends well higher up the pitch and the Palace recruitment team backed Glasner in signing his player.
It has taken a while, but Lacroix is demonstrating the talent that was apparent when he first broke into the team at Wolfsburg. Combine that with his manager settling on a first-choice back three and the qualities he brings to Palace are becoming clear.
(Top photo: Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images)
