Chelsea Football Club

Lacroix joined the Blues in the summer from fellow Londoners Crystal Palace after returning from the FIFA World Cup, where he was part of the France squad that reached the semi-finals.

The defender has needed little time to adjust to his new surroundings across the capital and has become a central figure in Alonso’s plans, featuring in all our league fixtures so far this season – and starting all but one.

A massive game is up next for the Blues, as Tottenham Hotspur visit Stamford Bridge this evening for a London derby that always gets the blood pumping in SW6. And ahead of that game, our manager discussed Lacroix’s strong start to life at Chelsea.

Alonso said: ‘Max has many good things, but two of them are that he's ready – we knew that his impact was going to be instant with his Premier League experience, being competitive – and he has a strong personality.

‘He has great leadership. He likes to communicate, to be loud, to be very active in the game, and that presence is very important.

‘With the players around him, we are connecting better with him, and he's doing much better. He's doing good now, lately playing with Levi [Colwill] and when he has played with Wes [Fofana].

‘We are very happy with him and he's feeling good.’

The France international defender grew up as one of a handful of kids playing football in the surrounding villages, where his parents both worked in the medical profession, and has risen to become a serial winner.

'It’s a farming village and there were maybe 300 people, with maybe five young children, because there were a lot of older people, or people who worked on the farms. My mother is a doctor, a general practitioner. And my father, he is working as a resuscitation nurse in the hospital.

'When I was young, I was quite close to wanting to be a vet, because animals were always close to me, you know.

'I started playing football at four. I was a goalkeeper, because my father was a goalkeeper. He put me on the field, because he loved football – he still does – and he said to me: "Okay, now it’s the time for you to start playing too".'

The rest, as they say, is history, and now the 26-year-old is enjoying a year to remember, having gone to the FIFA World Cup off the back of a UEFA Conference League triumph with his former club Crystal Palace, then returned to London to begin the next chapter of his career with Chelsea.

'It’s going good,' he says of the season so far. 'I think we are in a better way, and you know, it was really quick for me, because I just left the national team, I had just a little bit of holidays and then I came back directly to playing the first game. So no, it was strange, but now I feel really settled in the team, so this is really good for me.

'It is fun, and it is a big team, you know – the players here are the best in the league. So I’m really happy to represent the badge and to be part of this big journey.'

Elsewhere in the programme, club historian Rick Glanvill reflects on the impact Matthew Harding made on the club, as we mark the 30th anniversary of his tragic death in a helicopter crash on the way back from an away game at Bolton Wanderers in October 1996.

The team that Harding’s investment helped to build went on to become one of the most cherished in Chelsea history, and their 6-1 win at White Hart Lane in December 1997 is the focus of our Greatest Games feature.

Cobham Unseen: pre-Tottenham (h) 💪 | Video | Official Site  Chelsea Football Club

Alonso Press Conference 🎙️ | Video | Official Site  Chelsea Football Club

We have lost to the side from north London just once in our past 41 meetings in SW6, but Alonso knows that record counts for nothing come kick-off on Saturday, when a new chapter in the rivalry will be written.

With the Blues targeting a third straight league success for the first time since the start of this year, and Tottenham hoping to pick up a second victory this week, there is plenty on the line. Alonso knows what to expect.

‘We need to have a very complete game,’ he said. ‘Offensively, defensively, mentality-wise going through difficult moments, as there will be moments for everything.

‘We need to prove again we can continue our run, knowing it’s a special game. We need to play with our head, heart, with intelligence but with passionate energy. We will need many things tomorrow.’

On Tottenham, Alonso added: ‘I’ve seen a good team even in bad results, so we’re expecting a tough game against good opposition who do many good things.

'We need to be prepared for what to do in different moments with the ball. It’s going to be game eight [in the Premier League this season], so it’s still early days for everything.’

The meeting with Tottenham is the first of three high-profile fixtures in quick succession. Next week we travel to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round before hosting Manchester United.

Alonso is excited for what is to come, and wants to see his side rise to the challenge and prove their credentials.

‘It was a matter of time until we had big games and this week we have three massive games against top clubs. This happens in the Premier League; this is not news. So we take it step by step, and we start tomorrow.’

It was another wet and windy training session at Cobham on Friday, with the same conditions expected when we walk out at Stamford Bridge tomorrow for a 5.30pm kick-off against our London rivals.

The Blues will be seeking a third consecutive Premier League win since the international break and face a side fresh from their maiden success of 2026/27 after beating Coventry City 3-1 on Monday.

Alonso confirmed in his pre-match press conference today that Emi Martinez, Pep Chavarria and Emmanuel Emegha are unavailable, with the goalkeeper having undergone successful surgery following the injury he sustained at Everton. Mike Penders was one of those involved in today's session.

We have selected the best images from training for you to enjoy, and make sure to stay tuned to the Chelsea Official App and website over what promises to be a very busy weekend across the club!

Penders was introduced midway through the second half of our victory at Everton last weekend, becoming our youngest Premier League goalkeeper. He replaced Emi Martinez, who took a heavy blow to the face and has subsequently undergone surgery on his jaw.

With Martinez out for what Alonso says will be a ‘few weeks’, Penders is set to don the gloves for the Blues, with a mouthwatering London derby up first.

‘He is ready,’ said Alonso in his pre-match press conference. ‘He has been training well and played a couple of cup games where he showed he has a good level. Even the other day when he came on against Everton, he showed in a few minutes his personality and qualities.

‘This is why we have a squad, to be ready for these kinds of situations, and we are fully convinced that Mike can play very well. He is a goalkeeper for now and for the future. We are looking to the next games and are happy with Mike. He is prepared.’

Penders’ assimilation into English football has been aided in the past couple of months by Martinez, who brings a vast wealth of knowledge and know-how with him.

Alonso explained how the Argentinean has helped Penders, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg having signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2024.

‘He has the support and is learning from an experienced goalkeeper in Emi, who is having a great impact on the team and on Mike.

‘That happens in a very natural way. It’s not that we say, “Dibu, you have to be a mentor and you have this certificate.” It happens naturally, spontaneously every day because Emi likes to talk, not just with the other goalkeepers, but defenders as well.

‘He is very communicative and he likes to have this sense that they are close. So it’s happening.’

'It has been noted that Penders bears similarities to former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who Alonso worked with at Real Madrid. Our manager agrees there are resemblances between the two beyond simply their appearance and nationality.

‘The stature, both left-footed, both dominant in the air,’ Alonso pointed out.

‘I spoke with Thibaut when he was at the World Cup and asked about Mike, and he said himself that he could see the resemblance with Mike.

'We need to help him, support him, but for sure he is a goalkeeper for the present and the future.’

The Blues welcome an old foe to Stamford Bridge tomorrow afternoon as Roberto De Zerbi brings his Spurs side to west London.

We enter the game after impressive back-to-back top-flight victories: the first a 5-1 win over Bournemouth and the second a 2-0 triumph at Everton.

Tottenham, meanwhile, recorded their first Premier League win of the campaign last time out. However, they are winless on the road this season.

Alonso, who undertook his pre-match press conference duties after today's training session at Cobham, confirmed that Gusto was fit to return after missing our win on Merseyside last weekend. Chavarria, though, will remain absent.

'Malo is fine,' the Blues manager explained. 'Pep is training a little bit more, but he is not going to make it [for the Tottenham game].

Emegha will also miss out. The striker has yet to feature since arriving this summer, but is making progress in his comeback. ‘He’s feeling better, but we need to wait,' said Alonso.

There will be no Martinez against Tottenham – or for a few weeks – due to the injury the Argentine sustained against Everton in a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite.

Martinez was stretchered off in the second half and was taken to hospital for further checks, after which he underwent surgery on his jaw.

Alonso confirmed the goalkeeper is doing well, but he will be sidelined for the matches ahead. 'Emi is doing better,' he said.

'He had the surgery and day by day he is feeling better, but we still need to wait. A few weeks. Hopefully, less than more, but we need to wait.

'The good thing is that he is feeling better and we need to listen to his feelings, the opinions of the doctors, the specialists, the surgeons. Considering it was a bad one, he is doing good.'

Live Facial Recognition in operation

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has informed the club that on Saturday, Live Facial Recognition (LFR) will be deployed during the policing operation for the Chelsea versus Tottenham fixture.

The deployment follows the established stakeholder engagement approach previously used for football-related LFR deployments.

The two locations will be Earl's Court and West Brompton and two LFR vans will be deployed across these locations before the game.

Signage will be deployed outside the zone of recognition in line with MPS LFR policy.

The watchlist will contain individuals subject to Football Banning Orders relating to either club, together with persons wanted or missing for serious offences and those sought on warrants issued by HMCTS.

Keep support positive on Saturday

The derby against Tottenham Hotspur is always one of our most anticipated games of the season and we are expecting nothing less than a passionate and vibrant atmosphere as we take on big London rivals.

We welcome the part our supporters play in getting behind the team as the players target three wins in a row and victory in the first home London derby of the season.

We would like to remind supporters of their responsibilities in keeping support positive and ensuring that Stamford Bridge is a welcoming environment for all.

Discriminatory actions or language such as antisemitic or sectarian chanting have no place anywhere in football or society, and Chelsea is a club that actively celebrates our diversity. There are measures in place and strong sanctions against offenders to tackle discriminatory, anti-social and criminal behaviour. This could include suspension from attending all Chelsea matches, as well as potential police action.

Reporting anti-social or discriminatory behaviour

If you witness any anti-social or discriminatory behaviour on matchday, please report it to us.

Click below to use our reporting form for home matchdays.

This link will be active and the form available for use from three hours prior to kick-off until one hour after the final whistle.

- Click to access the reporting form

At other times, click here to make a report.

You can also report it in real time by using our reporting number. During the match text 88777 or 07894 93 77 93, with the stand, row, seat number and description of the offender and incident.

No Room For Racism

All Premier League matches from 17 to 25 October are dedicated to No Room For Racism, reinforcing a collective commitment to tackling all forms of discrimination and promoting diversity within football.

With Saturday being our home match during this period, a film will be shown inside Stamford Bridge, celebrating diversity as one of the game's greatest strengths. It will also highlight the impact racism can have on players, their families and communities, and encourages fans to challenge and report discriminatory behaviour.

The No Room For Racism message will be displayed throughout the stadium, and players will be taking the knee to show solidarity against discrimination and send a clear message that racism has no place in our game or wider society.

Travel warning

The Blues have lost at home to Tottenham on just one occasion since 1992, and they are the opponents we have scored the most goals against in Premier League history.

On Saturday we will be aiming to beat Spurs for a seventh consecutive time in the league, which would be a new club record, and to whet the appetite we have dug into the archives and picked out a collection of images from previous meetings with our rivals in SW6 that caught our eye.

We start all the way back in the Premier League's inaugural season...

Tony Cascarino equalises for Chelsea in the first Premier League meeting between the sides at Stamford Bridge in March 1993.

Captain Dennis Wise enjoyed his fair share of games against Tottenham and is pictured here in February 1995.

It was an emotional day when Spurs came to Stamford Bridge in October 1996, just days after the death of influential and much-loved director Matthew Harding. After the heartfelt tributes before kick-off, Ruud Gullit, David Lee and Roberto Di Matteo did him proud by firing us to a 3-1 derby win.

George Graham's Spurs almost held on at the Bridge in December 1998, but two strikes in the final 10 minutes from Gustavo Poyet and Tore Andre Flo secured the three points.

The legendary George Weah made quite the impact when he joined Chelsea on loan in the January 2000 transfer window. Coming off the bench to make his debut against Tottenham, the Ballon d'Or-winning striker headed in the only goal of the game with three minutes remaining.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had a habit of finding the net in derbies and opened the scoring from the penalty spot in a 3-0 home win in 2000.

Hasselbaink completed a hat-trick in our biggest Premier League win over Spurs in March 2002. Incredibly it was our second 4-0 victory over Tottenham that week, having also beaten them by that scoreline at White Hart Lane in the FA Cup sixth round three days earlier.

Frank Lampard gets the equaliser at the Bridge in 2003 when we recovered from conceding first to triumph 4-2.

On the day Chelsea mourned the loss of legendary striker Peter Osgood it was a defender who took the headlines on the pitch. William Gallas, who would later go on to represent Spurs, netted an injury-time winner to spark wild celebrations at the Bridge in March 2006.

For all his undeniable class on and off the ball, centre-back Ricardo Carvalho didn't get in the goals too often. His was the only name on the score sheet when we beat Tottenham at the Bridge in April 2007 though.

What a hit! Few derby goals are as good as the one Brazilian full-back Juliano Belleti fired in at the Bridge in January 2008. His rocket gave us a deserved lead, before Shaun Wright-Phillips added another in a 2-0 win.

Due to his history with Arsenal, Ashley Cole was always public enemy number one for Tottenham fans on derby day. He silenced them in the best way possible by netting the opening goal at the Bridge in September 2009, with Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack adding their own to a 3-0 victory, and producing identical celebrations to match.

Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes tries, and fails, to prevent Frank Lampard's equaliser crossing the line in April 2011. That set up a dramatic finale, when Salomon Kalou completed the comeback with an 89th-minute winner.

Samuel Eto'o gave us the opening goal and an iconic celebration in March 2014, when he made light of head coach Jose Mourinho's pre-match comments about the striker's age. Eden Hazard would add to our lead from the penalty spot before a late Demba Ba brace meant we equalled our best-ever Premier League result against Spurs of 4-0.

It was Didier Drogba who rolled back the years to find the net against Tottenham once again the following season, after returning for a second spell with the Blues. It wasn't quite as big a win as the previous campaign, but with Eden Hazard and Loic Remy both joining him on the score sheet, 3-0 still made it a happy day in west London.

Eden Hazard broke north London hearts in May 2016 by coming off the bench to net a late equaliser in what became know as the Battle of the Bridge. His strike into the top corner, following Gary Cahill's earlier goal, completed the comeback from two down to draw 2-2, a result which officially ended Tottenham's title challenge and handed the trophy to Claudio Ranieri's Leicester City.

Almost exactly 10 years ago, it was Pedro's moment of brilliance which sparked the Chelsea comeback. The Spaniard's swivel and curling shot was worthy of winning any game, even if it was only the equaliser on this occasion. Pedro was heavily involved again, though, as he combined with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa to set up Victor Moses to finish things off with the winning goal.

Pedro was at it again in February 2019, opening the scoring after half-time, before a late Kieran Trippier own goal ensured all three points would be staying in west London.

It was another Spaniard, Marcos Alonso, who got the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory in February 2020, in what would be the last derby atmosphere experienced at the Bridge for some time.

With the fans back in the stands following Covid by the time Spurs came to the Bridge in January 2022, it was Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva's goals which sent the Blues supporters home happy, while piling misery on Spurs after we had beaten them in the League Cup semi-finals earlier that month.

Homegrown defender Trevoh Chalobah was the one to head us into the lead against Spurs in May 2024, Nicolas Jackson getting the second in our 2-0 win.

Tottenham's 2025 visit Premier League visit to the Bridge came in April, when Enzo Fernandez's header proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Spurs were the visitors for Chelsea's last home game of 2025/26, when Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos' goals gave us a 2-1 win.