Alonso said Lacroix is not expected to be ready before the international break, but talkSPORT understands the defender is likely to miss the rest of 2026.
Chelsea fear defender Maxence Lacroix faces a lengthy spell out with a serious hamstring injury. Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that the 26-year-old France international could be out until January, which would mean missing up to 10 matches.
Lacroix was forced off in the first half of Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool, which Chelsea lost on penalties. The game was 1-1 at the time, with Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo having scored from the spot. Lacroix went down off the ball, received treatment and was replaced by Levi Colwill. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said at full time: "Too early to tell. Probably he felt something on the hamstrings. And we need a couple of days to check what's going to be the injury."
Those close to Lacroix have told talkSPORT he has a grade three tear, which is severe, and talkSPORT adds there is concern he could be sidelined for up to ten weeks. Lacroix has been a regular for the club since his £52m summer move from Crystal Palace, and BBC Sport says he has started 10 of Chelsea's 11 games in all competitions this season.
Asked about the injury at his media conference before Saturday's Premier League visit of Manchester United, Alonso gave this timeline:
"Max, he picked up an injury, and we expect that he's not going to be ready before the international break. So he will be a few weeks out."
Chelsea's centre-back options include Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato and Aaron Anselmino. Asked about replacements, Alonso said: "With Max's injury, we have Wes, we have Levi [Colwill], Josh [Acheampong], he could play as well as centre-back." Alonso said Hato would be an option when he is back with the team, but talkSPORT reports he will not feature against Manchester United. Anselmino is also injured.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is having a special mask fitted to play while recovering from a broken jaw, BBC Sport reports, and Alonso hinted he could return before the international break. Club captain Reece James is unlikely to play again in 2026 after knee surgery, and Joao Pedro, joint-top scorer on five goals with Morgan Rogers, is set to be out for a few weeks with a thigh issue.
Moises Caicedo avoided injury despite concerns after the midweek clash, BBC Sport reports, and talkSPORT says he is available despite coming off in the second half. Sitting fifth in the table, Chelsea have collected 13 points from eight league games, yet have kept just one clean sheet in that span.
Chelsea host Manchester United at Saturday lunchtime, and Lacroix's road to recovery is still being determined.
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