Beye has issued an honest reponseplaceholder image
Beye has issued an honest reponse | AFP via Getty Images
Rennes’ boss has responded to talk Chelsea are chasing a deal for his star defender.
Rennes boss Habib Beye has responded to a question about Chelsea’s reported pursuit of his defender Jeremy Jacquet this month. The Blues are hoping to give Liam Rosenior some new tools going into the remainder of the season, and centre-back is understood to be the priority.
Chelsea do have centre-back options, but they lack top-level talent in the absence of Levi Colwill, who suffered a serious knee injury just before the season starter.
Enzo Maresca was denied a new centre-back, but Chelsea are now willing to go and get one for Rosenior, while a midfielder could also be signed if a cheap or loan deal becomes available, Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz has been linked.
Until they do, the transfer is likely to drag out, with only a week to go in the window. In the meantime, Jacquet will go about his business with Rennes, who play Lorient on Saturday, and manager Beye has no doubt about the defender’s commitment.
But he is aware that a departure could be on the cards. He said: “There are still a few days left in the transfer window; anything can happen. We need things to be as calm as possible.“
Rosenior on new Chelsea signings
Chelsea boss Rosenior has been open about the possibility of making a new signing or two, although we don’t know exactly how much say he has, given Enzo Maresca seemed to have limited say on recruitment, or at least the timing of it.
In Rosenior’s case, it’s likely the club agreed to strengthen certain areas during the interview process, but that is not concerned
“I've been really clear on this: I don't want to bring in players that don't enhance the group or the chemistry that we're building,” Rosenior said in his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend. “So we have to be very selective at this stage of the season. If we do bring in the right player in a certain position, they have to have a clear impact on the team.”
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