When Maxence Lacroix could make Chelsea debut as Xabi Alonso finally builds dream backline

Xabi Alonso will have to wait until Maxence Lacroix, who looks set to join Chelsea this summer, becomes available for selection before he can decide his strongest possible backline.

Maxence Lacroix may not make his Chelsea debut until the end of next month. The Crystal Palace defender looks set to become the third signing of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge, following the arrivals of Marco Palestra and Morgan Rogers.

Although the sporting leadership team could wrap up a deal before the opening pre-season friendly of the summer, Lacroix may not train with the Chelsea first-team, let alone become available for selection, until the end of August due to player welfare rules.

Last summer, ahead of the Club World Cup, FIFPRO called for a mandatory four-week break at the end of each campaign. After a meeting with player unions, FIFA later announced that players should be given a 'period of rest or holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season'.

The 26-year-old locked horns with Reece James and Morgan Rogers during France's clash against England in the World Cup third-place play-off last week. So, he and the Chelsea duo may not return to action until the second week of August.

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By then, the Blues will have played each of their five friendlies across Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia, leaving little opportunity to actually play, let alone train, under Alonso before the new Premier League campaign gets underway.

Tottenham Hotspur (N) – Friendly – Saturday, August 1

Although FIFA has previously advised clubs to give players a substantial break at the end of each season, Lacroix could decide to cut his holiday short and join Chelsea in Sydney, Australia. Even if the Frenchman was not in a condition to face Tottenham Hotspur at the Accor Stadium, he would at least meet his new teammates and then travel with them to Hong Kong for the next part of the tour.

Real Sociedad (H) – Friendly – Saturday, August 15

If Lacroix chooses to honour the three-week break, which they’re more than entitled to do after such a long season, he would, in theory, be eligible to return to action on Saturday, August 8, when Chelsea face AC Milan in Indonesia.

The following day, the Blues will lock horns with Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia before jetting back to the United Kingdom to finalise preparations for the new season. So, it’s unlikely that Chelsea will fly Lacroix halfway across the globe only to return home a few hours later.

Fortunately for the Frenchman, the Blues are set to play Real Sociedad in a friendly on Saturday, August 15. It will be the final friendly of the summer, and the first time Alonso, as well as other new faces, play in front of a crowd at Stamford Bridge.

Fulham (A) – Premier League – Monday, August 24

Lacroix will have to hit the ground running if he’s to feature in Chelsea’s opening game of the new Premier League season. He, and many others reporting late for pre-season following the World Cup, may need an extra week or two on the training pitches at Cobham before they’re fit to start a competitive game.

Once the Frenchman gets up to speed, Alonso will finally be able to field his strongest backline. Whether it's a back-three or a back-four, Lacroix, Levi Colwill, and Reece James are expected to make up the defence and be three of the first names of the teamsheet...