Crystal Palace have opened talks with the agents of Charlie Cresswell regarding a summer move to Selhurst Park, and they hold a key advantage over rival suitors in the race for his signature.
Pierre Sage will have a pressing need to sign at least one new defender this summer, given that a replacement for Marc Guehi wasn’t brought in during the January transfer window, and Maxence Lacroix could be set to follow the Englishman out the exit door.
Chelsea are reportedly set to sign Lacroix, with a deal due to be completed after the World Cup, where the 26-year-old is representing France, playing the full 90 minutes in the 4-1 thrashing of Norway, which ensured they won Group I.
The Eagles are wasting no time when it comes to bringing in a replacement, having now identified Cresswell as a target, with the 23-year-old catching the eye for Toulouse in Ligue 1, after leaving Leeds United at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Palace certainly need to sign at least one new defender, in light of Guehi’s departure, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Lacroix’s future. The Frenchman was one of Oliver Glasner’s key performers last season, making 35 Premier League appearances, and featuring in 14 Europa Conference League games en-route to the Eagles lifting the competition. |
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Finances |
It is unclear what sort of fee Toulouse would demand for the centre-back, but Liverpool were said to be preparing a £26m bid back in February, which could be a reference point. With the sale of Lacroix expected to raise around £47m, Palace should have ample funds to get a deal done. |
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Insight |
Scout Jacek Kulig lauded the English defender for his “excellent” performances at the U21 Euros last summer. Since then, he has remained a key player for Toulouse, and even managed to contribute three goals and two assists in 29 Ligue 1 outings last season, showcasing the attacking threat the former Millwall man poses. |
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Impact |
Should Palace get a deal done, the Toulouse defender will be able to slot straight into the starting XI, as long as Chelsea sign Lacroix. Akin to Glasner, Sage also prefers to use a three-at-the-back formation, which means Cresswell could play alongside Chadi Riad and Jaydee Canvot. |
Crystal Palace hold key advantage in Charlie Cresswell race
According to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Rennes are also keen on signing Cresswell, but Palace hold a key advantage, as his priority is to move to the Premier League.
The Eagles have opened talks with the 26-cap England U21 international’s agents, and his eagerness to move to England suggests a deal could be possible.
Where Charlie Cresswell could play under Pierre Sage
Sage utilised a 3-4-2-1 formation during his time with Lens, which suggests Palace could persist with a three-at-the-back system, and given that the Toulouse star is right-footed, he could slot in on his preferred side, or through the middle.
The former Leeds man averaged 6.1 clearances and 1.1 blocks per 90 in Ligue 1 last season, ranking first in the Toulouse squad on both metrics, while he also placed in top spot for accurate passes per 90, averaging 42.9, which showcases he is comfortable in possession of the ball.
For reference, Lacroix averaged 42.6 accurate passes per 90 for Palace in the Premier League, which suggests Cresswell could be a like-for-like replacement in that regard.
Charlie Cresswell’s other key stats in Ligue 1
- 2,533 minutes played
- 3 goals
- 2 assists
- 9.1 defensive contributions per 90
- 2.8 accurate long balls per 90
- 5 big chances missed
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