Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea have entered the extended international break off the back of three Premier League games in a row without a win, and have left them looking back at recent transfer business with a heavy heart.
No top-flight side have conceded more than Chelsea so far this season, with Xabi Alonso joining an unwanted club of managers to have conceded two or more in his first five league games.
Maxence Lacroix has been a strong addition, but after losing Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile, many believed the Blues would be strengthening their backline more leading into this season.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Carabao Cup Third Round
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Chelsea’s missed opportunity of Jeremy Jacquet will hurt even more now
There was an intention to do so in January when Chelsea made an effort to sign Jeremy Jacquet, likely adding him to the first team squad at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
As the Blues weighed up all of their options, including recalling Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg, Liverpool swooped in and finalised a deal for the Frenchman and have now added him to their first team squad.
It hasn’t taken Jacquet long to establish himself as a regular alongside Virgil van Dijk, and instantly prove he is ready to compete at the top end of the Premier League.
If Chelsea had been more thorough with their approach back in January, he could easily of been starting instead of Wesley Fofana last night, who struggled yet again.
Opportunities may have been more limited for Josh Acheampong though, who has been one of the success stories of the season after earning regular minutes under Alonso.
The Blues need significant improvements at the back urgently though, and they will look in envy at Anfield and how Jacquet has proven to be a very smart decision, knowing he could have been theirs.
It feels likely that Chelsea will return to the scene of a potential new centre-back again when the transfer window opens again in January.