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DONE DEALS
- 31 minutes ago
Jeremy Jacquet: Chelsea on the verge of making a HUGE transfer mistake
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 22 Jan 2026 11:14 GMT
- 7 min read
Analysis
Liam Rosenior has picked up three wins and one defeat - a narrow 3-2 loss to Arsenal - in his first four matches as Chelsea head coach. On paper, it goes down as a very decent start. In reality, there are already major concerns.
The Blues have simply looked average at best in all four games under the Englishman and vast improvements are needed quickly if they are to enjoy a successful end to the 2025-26 season.
Current ETV
Jérémy Jacquet
D (CR)
Jérémy Jacquet
D (CR)
Rennes
ETV Range
€16M - €19.6M
Chelsea eventually cruised to a 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in Rosenior’s first fixture in charge, however they were extremely laboured during the first 45 minutes and two goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez in stoppage time ultimately flattered the Premier League giants.
Then came a drab performance versus Arsenal, who should’ve put the Carabao Cup semi-final tie to bed at Stamford Bridge but only emerged with a one-goal lead thanks to a second-half brace from Alejandro Garnacho.
Against Brentford on Saturday, Chelsea were once again second-best, with Keith Andrews’ side wasting a number of excellent opportunities to go ahead. Furthermore, both of the Blues’ goals came from Brentford mistakes - Joao Pedro firing home following a poor Michael Kayode clearance and Cole Palmer scoring a penalty after Caoimhin Kelleher had fouled Liam Delap.
Pafos then came to town in the Champions League on Wednesday night and Chelsea eventually ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Moises Caicedo header in the 78th minute.
Better late than never 🙌
Moises Caicedo breaks the deadlock for Chelsea after 78 minutes 💫
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sMD0CyW4gT— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2026
The Cypriot side set up with a resolute back five and their sole aim was to frustrate their opponents before hoping for one chance on the counter-attack. And, once again, Chelsea simply couldn’t break down a low block.
It’s an issue that plagued Enzo Maresca and with Rosenior deploying an extremely similar system and style to his predecessor, it seems as though nothing has changed. Of course, Chelsea created chances and were never in danger of conceding, but their lack of attacking potency was a real red flag.
Garnacho and Neto were left to provide width on either flank, Delap was tasked with occupying the centre-backs and the midfield was packed with Fernandez, Caicedo, Reece James and Malo Gusto, who was inverting from right-back.
Chelsea used that exact method of attacking structure under Maresca and they always struggled to break down low blocks. It’s therefore not surprising the same issue has been evident since the appointment of Rosenior.
Furthermore, one thing that is unlikely to help is signing Jeremy Jacquet and loaning him back to Stade Rennais for the remainder of the season.
Chelsea want Jeremy Jacquet
Chelsea are in advanced talks over a deal for Jacquet and they were initially determined to sign him this month and integrate him into the senior team in order to bolster Rosenior’s squad.
It’s understood the Blues may be able to finalise a deal for a cheaper fee if they agree to such a deal, but it makes very little sense.
Jacquet is regarded as an elite talent and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if he is considered as one of the best central defenders in world football by 2030. However, Chelsea are in real danger of missing out on Champions League qualification this season and that would completely ruin the progress they’ve made over the past two years.
As a result, if they are to dip into the transfer market this month, they need to add players capable of making a difference for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.
Furthermore, the west London giants already have Josh Acheampong, Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino as extremely talented right-footed central defenders, and their pathway to regular first-team minutes would be further blocked by the arrival of Jacquet.
Acheampong, in particular, needs to be trusted with senior exposure or Chelsea will risk losing him.
The England U21 starlet was heavily tipped to leave Stamford Bridge last season and he was frozen out of every youth team before eventually penning fresh terms at the club in late 2024.
His situation in west London is being monitored by virtually every elite club in world football and he will undoubtedly begin looking elsewhere if Jacquet pushes him further down the pecking order.
Acheampong is a raw talent, but he has impressed whenever he has featured for Chelsea’s senior team and he simply needs game time. He played just 10 times at U21 level before being fast-tracked into first-team football and while he has already racked up just shy of 2,000 senior minutes, Acheampong deserves to be a Chelsea regular.
Signing Jacquet won’t help.
Signing Jacquet also won’t massively help Chelsea’s issues versus deep blocks. Of course, his passing range is excellent and he boasts the ability to drive forward with the ball at his feet, but he, understandably, isn’t a game-changer in the final third.
If he arrives this summer, he also won’t be able to help Chelsea in their bid to secure qualification for the Champions League for the second consecutive season.
As a result, if the Blues are going to spend upwards of €60 million on the Frenchman before Transfer Deadline Day, and then loan him out, it’s fair to say that money could be spent elsewhere.
In Rosenior’s system, the wingers are vitally important and the vast majority of creativity comes from out wide. Estevao Willian will eventually usurp Pedro Neto on the right, but landing an upgrade on the left would be advisable if Chelsea are prepared to spend big again.
Jamie Gittens has shown glimpses of promise, however his overall performance level hasn’t been up to scratch, while Garnacho is a useful squad player but he arguably isn’t good enough to be a starter.
STATS
Kenan Yıldız
F, M (L)
Juventus
Kenan Yıldız
F, M (L)
Juventus
Kenan Yildiz of Juventus would be the dream addition for Chelsea and they feasibly could use a chunk of the fee they’re prepared to pay for Jacquet to fund a move for the Turkey superstar this month.
A deal for the 20-year-old may be unlikely, but given the young options they already have at centre-back and their issues in attack, Chelsea would be best served signing a new forward in January rather than landing Jacquet and loaning him back to Rennes.
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