Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images | Getty Images
Liverpool have been linked with a series of centre-halves with the latest target being labelled a ‘Rolls Royce’ of a defender.
The one position that Liverpool fans agree that Arne Slot needs to strengthen is at centre-half, even if the manager himself might claim otherwise.
There is still no sign of Ibrahima Konate signing a new contract with some of the France international’s high-profile errors putting off Real Madrid and his demands to match the sort of salary that Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah are on is a struggle to justify. If the Reds hadn’t left it so late to sign Marc Guehi, there is every chance that Konate would have spent much of the season watching from the bench.
Liverpool target Jeremy Jacquet is a “Rolls Royce”
Since the collapse of the Guehi deal, other names have emerged as possible targets with a seven-name shortlist reported and Rennes defender “world class operator” Jeremy Jacquet also being considered. The 20-year old is the youngest option being considered by Richard Hughes but it is easy to see why when his profile is assessed with Como scout Ben Mattinson posting an analysis of Jacquet on X claiming that: “William Saliba isn’t the only Rolls Royce of a CB to come from Bondy… It’s Jérémy Jacquet’s time to shine now. Jacquet has the tools to be a ‘Top 5 in The World’ CB. If you don’t already know about him, get to know. Jacquet plays with a level of composure which makes actions seem so effortless.
“On the ball, how he approaches duels, his ball manipulation. He’s so in control of his body and plays with maturity beyond his years. Jérémy Jacquet is physically imposing in a controlled manner. He channels his aggression so well. Jacquet has good physicality and hence is a strong ground dueller. Jacquet has long powerful legs that enable him to reach further in slide tackles. His slide tackling technique is exceptional. His legs enable him to make standing tackles where he collects the ball and glides away with the ball.
“Jacquet defends big spaces effectively. Anticipating passes in behind allows him to use his rapid recovery pace and huge stride to cover ground quickly and sweep up any danger. Jacquet is an assured presence in defence.Jérémy Jacquet is scarily talented and the next Rennes talent that Europe’s elite clubs will come for after the likes of Désiré Doué and Lesley Ugochukwu.”
How does Jacquet compare to Konate and Guehi?
Looking further into the numbers, Jacquet is outperforming Guehi and could well play a similar role to the one that Konate plays alongside Van Dijk. The difference is that it looks like Jacquet is capable of looking after himself and of one day, potentially, being the defender who steps into the skipper’s shoes. With Giovanni Leoni still to return from injury, Liverpool could have two very assured and mature defenders on their books with a combined age that isn’t far away from Van Dijk’s.
Radar image of Jeremy Jacquet (blue) of Rennes compared with Ibrahima Konate (red) and Marc Guehi (green) of Crystal Palace using 2025/26 statistics.placeholder image
Radar image of Jeremy Jacquet (blue) of Rennes compared with Ibrahima Konate (red) and Marc Guehi (green) of Crystal Palace using 2025/26 statistics. | Data MB.
Using Data MB, not only does Jacquet dominate in the air more than Konate – he has Van Dijk numbers – but he also wins possession back more often too. The only two metrics where Guehi beats the young defender are ball carrying and progressive passes. What has to be remembered is that Jacquet is still only 20 and is very young for a centre-half, if he is already physically dominant and comfortable in possession, he is only going to get better and more expensive.
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