Lacroix

[eaglesdare]

I feel like we a do a lot of release clauses to sign the players we have. Don't be surprised next year when Wharton goes for 50 million aswell.

 

[PatrickA]

It is highly likely that we will lose the services of Lacroix, Kamada and Mateta.
Pino has a suspected broken collarbone.
Poor Monsieur Sage.

One of my children broke a collarbone playing football and had to have a metal plate installed as it was not a straightforward break. It was a period of some months before a recovery.
If Pino has a more straightforward break which does not require a plate, it is likely to be a couple of months before he can resume playing.

In more general terms I can't let last season's European win mask an indifferent league season and am surprised that some on here seem relaxed about the degradation of the quality of our squad.
At one point we had the experience of Chaloboah, Richards, Guehi and Lacroix competing for positions in the back 3.
If Lacroix leaves that leaves us with just one of those in Richards, and crossing our fingers that Riad and Canvot can quickly fill the void.
Sure we can buy a Cresswell to replace Lacroix, but frankly I'd prefer to stick with Lacroix.

Had we been able to keep the team together that finished Glasner's first season I'm pretty sure that it would have been capable of competing for a Champions League position.
We've already lost Olise, Guehi and Eze and potentially could lose Lacroix, Kamada and Mateta.

I'm realistic to know that some matters are outside of our control, but if we really are in selling mode our recruitment department is going to have to step up in it's efforts.

 

[Elwissthebest]

One of my children broke a collarbone playing football and had to have a metal plate installed as it was not a straightforward break. It was a period of some months before a recovery.
If Pino has a more straightforward break which does not require a plate, it is likely to be a couple of months before he can resume playing.

In more general terms I can't let last season's European win mask an indifferent league season and am surprised that some on here seem relaxed about the degradation of the quality of our squad.
At one point we had the experience of Chaloboah, Richards, Guehi and Lacroix competing for positions in the back 3.
If Lacroix leaves that leaves us with just one of those in Richards, and crossing our fingers that Riad and Canvot can quickly fill the void.
Sure we can buy a Cresswell to replace Lacroix, but frankly I'd prefer to stick with Lacroix.

Had we been able to keep the team together that finished Glasner's first season I'm pretty sure that it would have been capable of competing for a Champions League position.
We've already lost Olise, Guehi and Eze and potentially could lose Lacroix, Kamada and Mateta.

I'm realistic to know that some matters are outside of our control, but if we really are in selling mode our recruitment department is going to have to step up in it's efforts.

I agree with everything you say. I simply cannot understand why we let our best players go for so little money. If it is the case that these players only sign for Palace because the release clause is capped at £50m, as is suggested above, this might help the player. It certainly helps the buying club! How is it that Forest can sell Anderson to Citeh for so much money? Answer: because they weren't dim enough to accept a low release clause when they bought him from Newcastle.

 

[Willo]

One of my children broke a collarbone playing football and had to have a metal plate installed as it was not a straightforward break. It was a period of some months before a recovery.
If Pino has a more straightforward break which does not require a plate, it is likely to be a couple of months before he can resume playing.

In more general terms I can't let last season's European win mask an indifferent league season and am surprised that some on here seem relaxed about the degradation of the quality of our squad.
At one point we had the experience of Chaloboah, Richards, Guehi and Lacroix competing for positions in the back 3.
If Lacroix leaves that leaves us with just one of those in Richards, and crossing our fingers that Riad and Canvot can quickly fill the void.
Sure we can buy a Cresswell to replace Lacroix, but frankly I'd prefer to stick with Lacroix.

Had we been able to keep the team together that finished Glasner's first season I'm pretty sure that it would have been capable of competing for a Champions League position.
We've already lost Olise, Guehi and Eze and potentially could lose Lacroix, Kamada and Mateta.

I'm realistic to know that some matters are outside of our control, but if we really are in selling mode our recruitment department is going to have to step up in it's efforts.

We are 'In lockstep' apropos your sentiments relating to our PL placement.
I for one am not relaxed about the possible degradation of our squad. Indeed some matters are outside of our control and we have to be realistic about our stature as a club competing against others with significantly greater resources.
Alas, losing one's key players on a regular basis can be a surefire path to relegation.

 

[Elwissthebest]

i can see why Chelsea may want Lacroix, as they have a number of very similar centre backs, but no outstanding ones, however, i'd be disappointed if he went there as they can't offer European football next season.

With 3 years left of his contract and being such a crucial player for us we need to be strong and demand a sizeable transfer fee - £50m minimum with maybe an extra £10m in add ons.

As has been mentioned if they hare valuing Gusto at £75m and they got £38m for Maatsen who was always a decent but average left back then they have to pay.

I would tell both Lacroix and Wharton to give one more year and then we will consider offers in 12 months. Obviously if a player is determined to go there is not much the club can do.

Chelsea buy players to stop them playing for other teams. Been doing it for years. The club is to football what leprosy is to the body.

 

[doombear]

I agree with everything you say. I simply cannot understand why we let our best players go for so little money. If it is the case that these players only sign for Palace because the release clause is capped at £50m, as is suggested above, this might help the player. It certainly helps the buying club! How is it that Forest can sell Anderson to Citeh for so much money? Answer: because they weren't dim enough to accept a low release clause when they bought him from Newcastle.

AS I recall, Forest held all the cards as Newcastle had to sell (they didn't want to but the financials made it a necessity}. Also, don't underestimate the Greek mafia - ask Gibbs-White.

 

[Willo]

It’s true to say we are not a destination club and that to an extent we are a stepping stone for players to achieve their ambitions.
Nonetheless, Parish has previously mentioned staggering contracts so that we try and avoid losing more than one key player a season.
If Lacroix is sold that means we would have sold Eze, Guehi and Lacroix in less than a year with Mateta and Kamada likely to follow.
That’s 5 players and half of the team that won the FA Cup.
Now we couldn’t do anything about Eze (release clause) and Guehi’s contract was due to expire as will be the case with Kamada.
Little we can do.
If Mateta won’t sign a new contract then the club can take a decision to realise some value on Mateta , as they did with Guehi.

I see none of these selling pressures with Lacroix.

As an old chap I’ve seen the folly of clubs continually selling their best assets ( e.g Southampton with Van Dyke, Mane , Lalanna, Schneiderlin).
Eventually it catches up with you.
Furthermore, can anybody say honestly they are filled with confidence about future purchase policy to replace key assets?
Early days, but it’s I think it’s fair to say the jury is out on Hobbs & co at present.

I am not going to engage in personal vilification of individuals 'Behind the scenes', however in my judgement some of the more recent acquisitions have been a major disappointment.
In contrast, promoted Sunderland signed 18 players and surprised all and sundry by finishing 7th in the PL.

 

[Jim_Cannon]

Serious question. How old are you mate?

We can set the price unless release clause. The £50m seems min £10m too low

 

[Jim_Cannon]

I am not going to engage in personal vilification of individuals 'Behind the scenes', however in my judgement some of the more recent acquisitions have been a major disappointment.
In contrast, promoted Sunderland signed 18 players and surprised all and sundry by finishing 7th in the PL.

And won nothing and no European football last season. If they repeat it this season that will give a better indication

 

[cyprussteve]

Why would he want to go to Chelsea, they have no european football like us. Only reason must be for the money. Loyalty is a distant memory in football both from the players and clubs.
Since Dougie left we seem to pay inflated prices for average players yet our sell our best cheaply.
Sort it out SP !!

 

[Mwncisee]

Just wondering if our participation in the UEFA Europa league next season will/is influencing this. There is a squad requirement of 8 homegrown players (4 in nation, 4 at club). We have a very multinational squad at the moment. Hence the thinking of losing Lacroix and getting Cresswell??

 

[Willo]

And won nothing and no European football last season. If they repeat it this season that will give a better indication

I accept that Sunderland were not burdened by European football, however the point I was making is that their significant number of acquisitions propelled them to 7th in the PL which I suspect was beyond their wildest dreams.

 

[NEILLO]

My interpretation of this is that having wasted money on Nketiah, Johnson and JSL, and only bringing in £20m for Guehi and not selling Mateta , the club are under pressure to bring some money in . Then it’s a question of who the most saleable players are and which one you consider to be the most easily replaceable.

And in that case it’s been decided that Lacroix fits the bill.

But the fee that’s being bandied around seems on the low side. Hence why I think there is pressure to sell .

I’d love to know what Sage is thinking if these rumours are true

 

[Willo]

Just wondering if our participation in the UEFA Europa league next season will/is influencing this. There is a squad requirement of 8 homegrown players (4 in nation, 4 at club). We have a very multinational squad at the moment. Hence the thinking of losing Lacroix and getting Cresswell??

If a club has fewer than 8 homegrown players in their squad, their maximum 25-man squad limit is reduced by one for every homegrown player they are short. For example, if a club only registers 6 homegrown players, their List A squad can only contain 23.

 

[Mwncisee]

If a club has fewer than 8 homegrown players in their squad, their maximum 25-man squad limit is reduced by one for every homegrown player they are short. For example, if a club only registers 6 homegrown players, their List A squad can only contain 23.

Yes, and unlike the Premier League in which U21 players don't have to be registered that is not the case in the Europa League. We only have 6 main squad UK & Ireland players: Henderson, Mitchel, Clyne, Hughes, Wharton, Nkettieh. And of those 6 only Clyne and Mitchel are homegrown from the club. I assume Devenny would be added to that list.

 

[Willo]

My interpretation of this is that having wasted money on Nketiah, Johnson and JSL, and only bringing in £20m for Guehi and not selling Mateta , the club are under pressure to bring some money in . Then it’s a question of who the most saleable players are and which one you consider to be the most easily replaceable.

And in that case it’s been decided that Lacroix fits the bill.

But the fee that’s being bandied around seems on the low side. Hence why I think there is pressure to sell .

I’d love to know what Sage is thinking if these rumours are true

Starting in the 2026/27 season, the PL's SCR (Squad Cost Ratio) framework completely replaces the old Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Spending for clubs playing domestically is capped at 85% of football-related revenue.
As we are playing in Europe our spending is capped at 70% of football-related revenue.

 

[PatrickA]

I accept that Sunderland were not burdened by European football, however the point I was making is that their significant number of acquisitions propelled them to 7th in the PL which I suspect was beyond their wildest dreams.

I agree.
Sunderland were my team of the season.
I don't know anybody who didn't have them as firm favourites to go down at the beginning of the season.
I'm very impressed by the rapid and dogged Mukiele and suggest Chelsea go for him and leave Lacroix alone.
I also like the look of Brobbey, an old fashioned centre forward who wouldn't have looked out of place in the Andy Lochhead era.
He has the robust qualities that modern day centre backs often struggle with.
If he continues to have a good World Cup I suspect he will be in demand.

 

[TheBigToePunt]

If Lacroix doesn't go this summer then he'll go next year instead. Same with Wharton. This is the buy, develop, sell at a profit model in operation.

There is no feasible alternative. The players hold the power in the end as they can, and will, decline to sign a contract without a release clause, and/or decline to renew with us. It's not about whether we want to keep them, or ambition, or even whether we need the money.

All of our recent big name departures and remaining key men are entitled to feel that they took on a job of work at Palace and fulfilled it. Whilst it may always be possible to do a bit more here, or try and do the same stuff again one day, no matter what happens we will never be in a position to challenge for the league and champions league. Chelsea, whatever mad mess they get themselves into from time to time, are and will always be capable of challenging at the top. Of course a player would want to join them from us.

The key is the price, the timing, and the replacement recruitment.

 

[Painter]

My interpretation of this is that having wasted money on Nketiah, Johnson and JSL, and only bringing in £20m for Guehi and not selling Mateta , the club are under pressure to bring some money in . Then it’s a question of who the most saleable players are and which one you consider to be the most easily replaceable.

And in that case it’s been decided that Lacroix fits the bill.

But the fee that’s being bandied around seems on the low side. Hence why I think there is pressure to sell .

I’d love to know what Sage is thinking if these rumours are true

Its been rumoured Kamada has signed a new contract with the club.

 

[Mwncisee]

If Lacroix doesn't go this summer then he'll go next year instead. Same with Wharton. This is the buy, develop, sell at a profit model in operation.

There is no feasible alternative. The players hold the power in the end as they can, and will, decline to sign a contract without a release clause, and/or decline to renew with us. It's not about whether we want to keep them, or ambition, or even whether we need the money.

All of our recent big name departures and remaining key men are entitled to feel that they took on a job of work at Palace and fulfilled it. Whilst it may always be possible to do a bit more here, or try and do the same stuff again one day, no matter what happens we will never be in a position to challenge for the league and champions league. Chelsea, whatever mad mess they get themselves into from time to time, are and will always be capable of challenging at the top. Of course a player would want to join them from us.

The key is the price, the timing, and the replacement recruitment.

Yep, very similar to what I have been saying, earlier in this thread. I feel we need to accept and harness the concept that we are a club who will take in potential and develop it and allow players to go on to bigger clubs. Again, we may not like it but it is the reality. Of course there is a risk in this, remember the likes of Southampton who years ago were trying to do similar and ended up unable to replace what they sold? But likewise the likes of Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are doing this well at the moment (Do we need to change our name so it begins a b? (Brystal Palace?). Going way back I remember Crewe under Dario Gradi had a great reputation for this, Danny Murphy, Seth Johnson etc.

Again, I reiterate. We DO NOT generate enough commercial and matchday income to compete with the top half of the Premier League. Until we can we will be a club that has to buy potential develop and sell it. Ironically this is an attribute that will appeal to some players enabling us to sign them. If your a player abroad or in a lower league and Palace come in for you, you are not a Palace fan so have no allegience of any sort towards us, but we can say, hey come here, we can develop you and put you in the shop window for a move to a top club, then that is very appealing. We can cite Eze, Olise, Guehi and potentially Lacroix.