‘Teams are scared of playing us’ – Maxence Lacroix believes Crystal Palace can challenge top half of Premier League

Maxence Lacroix (24) has described his move to Crystal Palace, which allowed him to play in “the best league in the world”, the Premier League, as “a dream come true” during an interview with L’Équipe. 

“I have always wanted to play at the highest level and here, it is the best league in the world,” said the Frenchman. He joined Crystal Palace from Wolfsburg in the summer for a €18m fee. Since arriving, he has not missed a minute for the Eagles, starting all 15 games in all competitions.

Lacroix evoked nerves during his debut for the club. “The only moment that I felt pressure was in my first match (a 2-2 draw against Leicester City). I told myself ‘This is it, I’m here,” he said. Even despite Crystal Palace’s struggles at the start of the season, the Frenchman maintained a high level of performance.

‘There is no team like PSG’ – Lacroix

He has now told L’Équipe that he has set himself an ambitious objective. “My objective is to become one of the best defenders in the Premier League,” he said. However, he also believes that Crystal Palace can set their sights high. Oliver Glasner’s side are unbeaten in their last five and beat rivals Brighton and Hove Albion over the weekend.

It means that Crystal Palace, who looked in trouble in the opening weeks, are now up to 15th and four points clear of the relegation zone. However, for Lacroix, the club should aim higher. “Now that the train is on the tracks, we will go as far as possible. We have the quality to challenge the top half of the table,” said the Frenchman.

As Lacroix states, however, it is a difficult task in a highly competitive Premier League. “We are not high in the table but I know that teams are scared to face us. We are strong and hard to play against. In the Premier League, there is no team like PSG, that sails over the league. Even Ipswich Town can beat Tottenham Hotspur,” he said.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle