Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
There is a world where Jeremy Jacquet and Maxence Lacroix could have been the new-look centre-back partnership at Chelsea. But Jacquet chose to join Liverpool in the summer.
Jacquet was strongly linked with Chelsea back in January. But the Blues failed to reach Rennes’ £60m asking price, or even come close. After a month of interest, Liverpool agreed a £60m deal for him.
Jacquet arrived at Anfield in the summer, after a difficult second half of the season in which the French defender picked up a shoulder injury. But he’s made a super start at Liverpool, frustrating Chelsea fans.
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Jeremy Jacquet and Maxence Lacroix’s France partnership
This is a new-look France. Zinedine Zidane is in the dugout, and the defence has been revitalised. Lacroix and Jacquet have started both games during the break, helping France beat Turkey and Belgium.
Belgium v France - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A1 MD2
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
The duo have combined to keep two clean sheets in Zidane’s first two games as manager. What could have been the centre-back partnership at Chelsea is now thriving in Les Blues of France under Zidane.
Fabrizio Romano update on Jeremy Jacquet
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As per Maxi Foot, Jacquet said: “A clean sheet, for a defender, there’s nothing better. Even more so with a win at the end. We had quite a few opportunities to do our job with Maxence Lacroix, so we’re happy.”
Imagine a Chelsea defence of Jacquet and Lacroix at the back
It’s a real shame. Lacroix has started shakily at Stamford Bridge since his £52m move from Crystal Palace in the summer, but in a France shirt, he has been impeccable. It might be because it is alongside Jacquet.
The frustration for Chelsea is that it comes at the same time that Xabi Alonso’s side are leaking goals. A total of 12 Premier League goals in five, which seems to be forcing Chelsea to look at new defenders.
But Jacquet is starring at one of Chelsea’s rivals and is forming a relationship with Chelsea’s big-money signing. It must pain the Blues not to have simply met Rennes’ asking price back in the January window.