Jeremy Jacquet is starting to land on Chelsea’s radar in a serious way. The links have picked up pace, and the timing makes sense. Liam Rosenior has only just arrived, but the defensive picture has already become hard to ignore. Chelsea have been stretched at centre-back, and one thing has felt obvious in the tougher moments. The squad lacks experience at the back. Not talent. Just control. Chelsea used to rely on Thiago Silva to calm things down. That safety net is gone. What remains is a young group still learning how to manage games when pressure spikes.
And that is where the Jacquet name comes in.
CHELSEA’S CENTRE-BACK PLAN HAS MOVED FORWARD
Chelsea were expected to target a central defender soon, but the sense is those plans have been brought forward. The Arsenal loss sharpened focus.
When Chelsea concede territory, the defence can start to look loose. It is not always about glaring mistakes. Sometimes it is about moments. Second balls. Missed duels. A lack of authority when the box gets busy. That is the gap they are trying to fill.
RENNES TELL CHELSEA THE PRICE
Reports in France claim Rennes have made their stance clear. If Chelsea want Jacquet this month, the price will be around £57 million. The figure is being compared to the fee paid for Jeremy Doku when he joined Manchester City.
It is a big number, especially for a defender still early in his rise. But Rennes are not in a rush to sell, and interest gives them leverage. Other clubs have also been linked. Bayern Munich are said to be monitoring the situation, alongside Premier League sides. Even if not all of them act, Rennes can point to the noise. It strengthens their position.
🚨💣 Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Jeremy Jacquet, the clear main target at centre back.
Contract ready, player keen and talks ongoing with Rennes asking for club record sale fee around €65m.#CFC bid currently lower. A mission to France already took place. ✈️🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZEHP19DdkX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 18, 2026
WHY JACQUET IS ATTRACTING ATTENTION
Chelsea are not just looking for a defender who can pass. They need someone who can win physical battles, both in the air and on the ground. That has been a weakness this season.
Chelsea reportedly rank low in the league for aerial duel success and are also outside the top group for ground duels. Those numbers add pressure. When you lose duels, you lose territory. When you lose territory, your shape breaks.
Jacquet’s profile suggests improvement in that area. He competes, reads danger, and does not look shy in contact. There have even been comparisons to William Saliba, which is the kind of label that travels fast.
THE COLWILL ABSENCE HAS BEEN FELT
Levi Colwill’s absence has shown how thin the margin is. Chelsea can look fine in controlled games. The problems start when the match turns messy. That is when leadership matters. Set pieces pile up. The ball keeps coming back. The defence needs someone to take charge. Chelsea do not really have that right now. So even a young signing can make sense if the personality is right. It is not just about ability. It is about presence.
WHY THE £57M FEE FEELS LIKE A GAMBLE
The risk is simple. £57 million is huge money for a defender who has not yet proven himself in England. Premier League adaptation is not guaranteed. At that fee, he cannot be eased in forever. He would be expected to play quickly and look worth it. That is a hard demand for a young centre-back.
Chelsea have made expensive bets before. Some worked. Some didn’t. This would be another one.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
This feels like a move Chelsea make only if they believe Jacquet can become a leader, not just a talent. The duel numbers explain the interest, and the lack of control at the back explains the urgency. But the fee is the warning sign. At £57m, you do not buy patience. You buy expectation.
As featured on Chelseanews.com