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News
- 14 minutes ago
How Chelsea could line up with Jeremy Jacquet
Cameron Smith
- 18 Jan 2026 08:29 CST
- 4 min read
Analysis
Chelsea are edging closer to completing a January deal for Stade Rennais defender Jeremy Jacquet after reaching an agreement on personal terms.
The France U21 international was heavily linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool last summer, but he is now on the verge of becoming Chelsea’s latest wonderkid signing.
Current ETV
Jérémy Jacquet
D (CR)
Jérémy Jacquet
D (CR)
Rennes
ETV Range
€16M - €19.6M
It’s understood that Jacquet has already informed Rennes of his desire to join Chelsea this month, and Liam Rosenior’s side are currently locked in talks with the Ligue 1 side over a transfer fee.
It has been reported that Rennes may demand a club record fee of €65 million to sanction a sale before Transfer Deadline Day on 2 February, although the Blues are hopeful of reaching an agreement for a cheaper fee.
The west London giants already have a host of young central defenders on their books, however they are ready to add Jacquet to their first-team squad this month in a bid to bolster the options available to Rosenior.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through how Jacquet could fit in at Chelsea.
How Chelsea could line up with Jeremy Jacquet
Robert Sanchez has been Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper for the majority of his spell in west London and although he has been error-prone throughout his time at the club, his form has been much improved in 2025-26. As a result, he remains the first choice shot-stopper.
Reece James is likely to be deployed at right-back and in central midfield under Rosenior, but the England star could find himself in defence when a fully-fit squad is available to the Chelsea head coach.
Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella is the preferred option at left-back, with Jacquet likely to slot into the centre of defence alongside Trevoh Chalobah or Wesley Fofana. The latter’s injury woes mean that Chalobah may get the nod on a more consistent basis.
Although Andrey Santos will be rewarded with regular starts under Rosenior, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez remain Chelsea’s best double pivot, with Cole Palmer deployed in a more advanced midfield role.
Rosenior has a number of options out wide, but Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto offer great potency on the flanks and could be favoured for the remainder of the season, especially with James and Cucurella both capable of inverting into midfield from full-back.
Joao Pedro and Liam Delap will share duties up front, although the latter is likely to be preferred when fully fit.
Chelsea starting XI with Jeremy Jacquet
GK: Robert Sanchez
RB: Reece James
CB: Jeremy Jacquet
CB: Trevoh Chalobah
LB: Marc Cucurella
CM: Moises Caicedo
CM: Enzo Fernandez
RW: Estevao Willian
CAM: Cole Palmer
LW: Pedro Neto
ST: Liam Delap
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