Stade Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet reacts with Brice Samba. (REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)
Chelsea’s early weeks under Liam Rosenior have offered cautious optimism.
Victories over Charlton in the FA Cup and Brentford in the Premier League have given the new head coach a platform, while a narrow 3–2 defeat to an in-form Arsenal side in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final still leaves hope of a turnaround.
Performances have been encouraging, but January remains crucial as Rosenior looks to put his own stamp on the squad.
One defensive target appears within reach — though there is still a significant obstacle to overcome.
Chelsea Must Improve Jacquet Bid
Chelsea have made progress in their pursuit of Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, but will need to return with an improved offer if they are to finalise the deal, according to the Metro.
Reports suggest the Blues have already agreed personal terms with the highly rated defender, yet Rennes remain firm on their valuation.
Rosenior is keen to add a new central defender after taking charge at Stamford Bridge, viewing reinforcements at the back as a priority before the window closes. Jacquet has been on Chelsea’s radar for some time, with their interest dating back to last summer, and talks have intensified in recent weeks.
The 20-year-old, who has been labelled the “new William Saliba” by journalist David Olaseinde, signed a contract extension with Rennes last year that included an understanding he could leave if the right offer arrived. Chelsea are not alone in their admiration, however, with Arsenal also monitoring his situation closely.
Rennes are holding out for a club-record fee of around £56 million, a figure Chelsea are currently unwilling to meet. The west London club are believed to be hoping the Ligue 1 side soften their stance, while Rennes may look to use Arsenal’s interest as leverage to drive the price higher.
For Chelsea, Jacquet represents a long-term investment with elite potential, but whether they are prepared to stretch their budget could determine if Rosenior secures one of his top defensive targets — or watches a rival step in instead.
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