Who is Maxence Lacroix? The centre-back compared to Rio Ferdinand wanted by Spurs

 

The Tottenham rumour mill remains in overdrive and after the appointment of Nuno as head coach, a search that lasted two months, attention turns to improving a squad in dire need of a rebuild. As one cycle ends in north London, Fabio Paratici is overseeing the start of another, with a new centre-back among the priorities for Spurs. 

 

With Toby Alderweireld expected to leave the club this summer - it recently came to light that he has told Spurs he wants to depart - and Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez both disappointing at the back, it's no surprise that the north London outfit are pondering centre-back targets. 

 

A leader at the back is preferred and a shortlist, one featuring Joachim Andersen and Milan Skriniar, is believed to have been drawn up, but it won't stop Spurs from pursuing additional defenders if they are viewed as upgrades on the current collective. One of those is Maxence Lacroix, who played a key role for Wolfsburg in 2020/21 as they secured a top-four finish. 

 

 

Signed from Sochaux 12 months ago, Lacroix's stock has soared in his debut Bundesliga campaign. Only RB Leipzig (32) conceded fewer goals than Wolfsburg (37) in Germany's top tier last term with Lacroix adjusting to the rigours of Bundesliga football with ease. His performances clearly haven't gone unnoticed either, with Spurs perhaps viewing the Frenchman as a cheaper alternative to compatriot Jules Kounde, who has also been linked with a move to the Premier League. 

 

That said, after the season he has just had, Macroix would still cost a pretty penny to land. Wolfsburg are under no pressure to sell a centre-back who has three years left to run on his current deal and after their return to the Champions League, the lure of plying ones trade in Europe's elite club competition outweighs that of playing in the UEFA Conference League. Nevertheless, Spurs' interest in Lacroix is understandable as they look to land a calming presence in defence. 

 

An 83.4% pass success rate may not have been a particuarly noteworthy return, but for a young player in his debut campaign in a new league, it's solid enough. Rather, it's Lacroix's reading of the game that means he is a reassuring individual in defence. Only Loic Bade (74) made more interceptions than Lacroix (65) of players aged 21 and under in Europe's top five leagues last season as the young centre-back relies more on his impressive positioning rather than last ditch tackles to deny opponents, a trait that belies his tender years. 

 

 

That isn't to say Lacroix won't utilise an additional approach to defending, as his average of 1.7 tackles per 90 in 2020/21 suggests, but rather he'd instead favour a more measured style of protecting the Wolfsburg goal. Not only does Lacroix remain difficult to get the better of when he does need to be more physical in defending, returning a 69% tackle success rate in the Bundesliga last season, but he times his challenges well, too, having committed just 0.9 fouls per 90. 

 

For a Spurs side that often threw away points from leading positions last season, this composure at the back would help strengthen a weak backline for Nuno's side. That he has been likened to former England and Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand is huge praise indeed and, with Joe Rodon on the books, the comparative style of play between the Welshman, in that he goes to great lengths to ensure a clean sheet, and former United hero Nemanja Vidic is enough to excite Spurs fans. 

 

It could prove to be the ideal centre-back partnership for years to come at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, provided Nuno elects against using a three-man defence, but then getting a deal done for Lacroix could prove an uphill task in itself. The player supposedly favours a move to RB Leipzig, who are seeking defensive reinforcements following the exits of Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano to Liverpool and Bayern Munich, respectively. 

 

There are a number of young French centre-backs knocking about Europe that would command a high fee this summer and Lacroix is one of them, even considering his inexperience at this level. It would take a monumental effort for Spurs to firstly convince Wolfsburg to sell one of their talented young stars, and secondly turn the centre-back's head from Leipzig to London, but as Spurs do look to the future, Lacroix would be a statement capture by the club, and, alongside Rodon, a solid foundation upon which to build.

Who is Maxence Lacroix? The centre-back compared to Rio Ferdinand wanted by Spurs