Chelsea have missed out on the signing of Jeremy Jacquet to Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Chelsea were keen on bringing Jacquet to Stamford Bridge but failed to strike an agreement with Rennes for the player’s signature.
It allowed Liverpool to swoop in and agree a deal with the French club, with Jacquet now set to move to Anfield at the end of the season.
We had the whole of January to sign Jeremy Jacquet and come up short 😡
Who is to blame for this?!
Fabrizio Romano update on Jeremy Jacquet
Photo by Ramsey Cardy – Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images
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If the Blues still want to sign a central defender in the summer, there is one name that has to be on their shortlist now that Jacquet is no longer an option.
Jérémy Jacquet of France during the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2024 Group B match
Photo by Ramsey Cardy – Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images
Chelsea should turn their attention to Ousmane Diomande
In the past, Chelsea have been heavily linked with Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande, and there would be no harm in looking at him again.
All things considered, you can argue that Liam Rosenior does not actually need another centre-back, or at least not another young one.
Chelsea already have Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong and Levi Colwill on their books. Chelsea are also set to recall Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg and will have Aaron Anselmino as another option for the 2026/27 season if they want.
For whatever reason, though, the club seem hell-bent on signing another centre-back. In terms of alternatives to Jacquet, Diomande could be perfect.
If you could sign any player before the transfer window closes, who would it be? ✍️
We want to hear your realistic names below!
Chelsea shirt with Club World Cup badge
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In fact, at 22, Diomande is a bit more experienced than the Liverpool-bound defender. He has also played in the Champions League on 14 occasions and has been capped 11 times by the Ivory Coast.
In total, Diomande has made 115 appearances for Sporting. In contrast, 20-year-old Jacquet has only played 31 times for Rennes’ first team.
At 6’3″, Diomande also has the height to play in the Premier League, while the Ivory Coast international is excellent on the ball as well. According to FotMob, he completes almost 70% of his long balls per 90 minutes.
Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande on the ball
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca was a fan of Ousmane Diomande
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca appeared to be an admirer of Diomande.
Last summer, it was claimed that Maresca was keen on Diomande, believing that the Sporting star was one of the best signings that the Club World Cup winners could have made going into this season.
Chelsea never bought Diomande for Maresca in the end, but perhaps he will come onto their radar again if they still want to bring in a new centre-half.
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