The pieces are falling into place at Chelsea, and Xabi Alonso clearly means business this summer as he looks to guide the club back to their former glory.

This year, there has been a marked shift away from the former strategy under the BlueCo regime. Chelsea are pivoting from the sign-young policy that has perhaps led to erratic and lopsided squads. The likes of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck will instil experience, while the £117m Morgan Rogers injects superstar quality.

However, experience comes in different forms, and Alonso doesn't just require signings in their 30s to settle the equilibrium at Stamford Bridge.

Maxence Lacroix, for example, could make a world of defensive difference after completing a £52m move from Crystal Palace.

Why Lacroix is the perfect centre-back signing for Chelsea

Lacroix couldn't be happier. The France international is ready to "write a story" at Chelsea, having finalised his move to the club on Thursday.

Chelsea left an awful lot to be desired in defence last season. A shaky and uncertain backline contributed toward the lowly tenth-place Premier League finish that forced Todd Boehly and company to ring drastic changes.

Remarkably, the 26-year-old is the oldest player Chelsea have signed with BlueCo pulling the strings - though that will soon change, with deals for Henderson and Welbeck edging toward the finish line.

Lacroix is 6 foot 4 and has featured 70 times in the Premier League for Crystal Palace. He has won the FA Cup and the Conference League under Oliver Glasner. Last term, he won 61% of his ground battles, 61% of his aerial duels and averaged 7.2 clearances per game.

A more robust and fearless centre-half could go a long way at Stamford Bridge, and he is a player with leadership qualities too, captaining the Eagles on several occasions.

He'll make a big difference. Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill struggle to maintain fitness, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile are limited.

However, Alonso is looking to make further tweaks at the back, and he may have identified an even more exciting signing than Lacroix.

Why Chelsea must sign £70m star after Lacroix

In Rogers, Chelsea have signed a superstar forward. Welbeck and Henderson offer depth, while Lacroix has the chance to command the midfield for a title-chasing side.

But Alonso may well need a left-back, with Marc Cucurella sold to Real Madrid for £50m. According to Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, the Londoners have set their sights on former academy player Lewis Hall, who is anticipated to jump off a sinking Newcastle United ship this summer.

Hall, 21, is also coveted by Manchester United, but the Red Devils have been frustrated in their lengthy efforts to achieve a breakthrough there. He is said to be Chelsea's dream transfer target, and though he is valued at £70m, a successful bid could prove the statement signing Alonso needs to fix the club's backline.

There is something Cucurella-esque about the England international, with his well-rounded, tenacious skillset suggesting that he can become a superstar of the English game. Could we say the same about Lacroix? He's very good, and a proven winner besides, but Hall has "got all the attributes to be one of the best left-backs in the world", according to former Toon teammate Kieran Trippier.

Last season, in the league, he completed 85% of his passes, won 5.2 duels and made 1.8 tackles per game while covering every blade of grass down the left side.

He might have been omitted from Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad this summer, but that may well be a central reason behind his desire to level-up in the Premier League, to return and deal with his unfinished business at Chelsea.

Newcastle found themselves in a tough spot last year, but Hall impressed. In particular, he quieted Lamine Yamal across two knockout round dances in the Champions League. Barcelona advanced, but Hall "got the better" of the Spanish superstar, according to Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.

Whether Chelsea manage to get this one over the line remains to be seen. Valentin Barco is headed for Chelsea this year, but Hall is cut from finer cloth, and he could eclipse the likes of Lacroix and establish himself as the starring member of a new-look backline under Alonso's management.