Chelsea hold serious interest in a young Frenchman tipped as the next great French centre-back.
If there’s a player making waves in the sport at a young age, you can be sure Chelsea will be sniffing around.
Recruitment efforts in the summer were focused on additions further up the pitch, but the back line needs bolstering.
Murillo has emerged as a key Chelsea target who could come in and make an instant impact in Enzo Maresca’s side. Chelsea could also challenge Liverpool for Alessandro Bastoni.
But the Blues are always looking long-term, and a target they and other top Premier League sides have identified is being pursued with an eye towards the future.
Jeremy Jacquet playing for Rennes
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Chelsea seriously interested in Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet
Most Chelsea fans would agree that a starter-level centre-back needs to be added to Maresca’s squad sooner rather than later.
While 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet is largely unproven, the hype around him suggests he could already be good enough to come in and make an impact at Stamford Bridge.
Si Phillips has shared what he has heard about the Frenchman, and Chelsea’s very real interest.
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Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali and directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart at Wolves game
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In the SPTC newsletter, he writes: “Chelsea are stepping up regular scouting missions of Rennes centre back Jeremy Jacquet. I’ve now had his name mentioned to me from a couple of sources in the last week or so, which usually means that the interest is very serious.
“And his name is also out there in the media, with Chelsea’s interest being reported by local press in France. So, there is certainly something real there, a genuine Chelsea interest and perhaps a bit more than just scouting.”
Jacquet is highly rated in France and beyond. Como first-team scout Ben Mattinson used some pretty strong words to describe the young defender.
He said on X: “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.”
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Chelsea’s list of first-team centre-backs
Levi Colwill
Wesley Fofana
Trevoh Chalobah
Benoit Badiashile
Tosin Adarabioyo
Josh Acheampong
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
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Chelsea not alone in their Jacquet interest
As is usually the case with a highly-touted youngster, there are a number of clubs looking at Jacquet.
As Phillips shared: “Jacquet I guess is the next biggest thing coming up in terms of sought-after defenders, with Liverpool and Arsenal also being reliably linked with him.”
Mikel Arteta would like to unite present and future by bringing the Saliba-like centre-back to the Emirates, while Liverpool see him as a potential Virgil Van Dijk replacement.
It’s unlikely that a deal is done in January, but this is certainly one to watch for the summer.
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