Chelsea’s undisputed starter Maxence Lacroix limped off before halftime of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool, clutching his left thigh. Can France afford to lose him?
The French centre‑back, who started the round‑of‑16 tie, was forced to hand over his spot just before the break after feeling a sharp pull in his left thigh.
Lacroix, 26, went down during a 1‑1 dead‑lock when the Reds launched a counter‑attack. He slowed his stride after a left‑leg impact and was replaced by Levi Colwill.
Xabi Alonso and Zinédine Zidane are counting on him. Will he be fit for the Nations League matches in November?
That muscle injury comes at a terrible time for a player who has started ten of Chelsea’s eleven league games. In my view, his absence weakens France’s back line and puts his November call‑up in doubt, as Zidane must name a squad on 6 November for fixtures against Italy and Turkey.
During the first international window, the Frenchman featured in all four matches, earning three starts alongside Dayot Upamecano, Jérémy Jacquet and Lenny Yoro.
Another selection headache is Ousmane Dembélé, who left PSG’s Champions League tie with Barcelona early after sustaining a left‑thigh injury that should keep him out for roughly three weeks, likely returning during the break.