Chelsea are going through a busy and difficult time in the Premier League. The club has spent a lot of money, but results have not always been good. A new head coach, Liam Rosenior, now has many big decisions to make. These include signing new players, keeping top stars happy, and letting some players leave. With the Jeremy Jacquet transfer close and a £44m star signing a new deal, Chelsea hope things can finally improve.
🚨 Jeremy Jacquet, complicated negotiation at this stage with Chelsea wanting to spend around £35m-£40m + add ons but Rennes are STILL insisting on club record sale price. Conversation still there, but getting difficult. Chelsea also have others on shortlist or could recall… pic.twitter.com/HRwRmhBOy1
— Pys (@CFCPys) January 22, 2026
Premier League focus: Chelsea need a stronger defence
Chelsea’s biggest problem this season in the Premier League has been their defence. The team has made too many mistakes at the back, leading to dropped points. In the summer, Chelsea wanted to sign a new centre-back but did not do so. That decision has hurt them.
Now, Chelsea are trying to fix this by signing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old French player is seen as one of the best young defenders in Europe. Chelsea have already agreed personal terms with him, which means Jacquet wants to join the club.
However, the two clubs still do not agree on the transfer fee. Chelsea believe the player is worth around £43 million, while Rennes want closer to £52 million. Because of this gap, talks are still ongoing. Other big clubs, like Liverpool and Arsenal, are also watching the situation closely.
One idea is for Chelsea to sign Jacquet now and then loan him back to Rennes until the end of the season. This would not help Chelsea right away, but it would secure a top young defender for the future. For a team struggling in the Premier League, planning ahead is still very important.
Premier League pressure: keeping key stars happy
Playing well in the Premier League is not just about new signings. It is also about keeping your best players happy. One of Chelsea’s most important players is Reece James. After dealing with injuries in the past, he has been strong and reliable this season.
James is valued at around £44 million and still has more than two years left on his contract. Even so, Chelsea want him to sign a new deal. This would show that the club believes in him and wants to build the team around him.
There are worries that James could become unhappy if Chelsea continue to struggle in the Premier League. Top players want to win trophies and play in big matches. By offering him a new contract, Chelsea hope to show their ambition and stop other clubs from trying to sign him.
Keeping players like James is just as important as buying new ones. Without leaders on the pitch, young teams often struggle.
Clearing out players who are not needed
Chelsea also need to reduce the size of their squad. There are too many players, and some are not part of the club’s plans. Striker David Datro Fofana has returned from loan and could be sold this month. Leicester City are one of the teams interested.
Another forward, Tyrique George, may also leave. Clubs like Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Fulham have been linked with him. Moving these players on would help Chelsea focus on the squad they really want.
Sterling’s situation is still unclear
One big problem is Raheem Sterling. He earns a very high wage and does not play much. The club and player now need to find a solution, either through a transfer, a loan, or ending his contract early.
Author’s Opinion
Chelsea’s future in the Premier League depends on smart choices. Signing Jeremy Jacquet, securing Reece James, and selling unwanted players could help the club move forward and build a better team for next season.
As featured on Chelseanews.com