In their first-team squad, Chelsea already have two French central defenders, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
The Blues now appear to be keen on adding another to their ranks as they pursue Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet.
Chelsea were going to wait until the summer before signing a new centre-back, but it looks like something that new manager Liam Rosenior has said has changed their stance.
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The reliable Fabrizio Romano has now given an update on Chelsea’s pursuit of the 20-year-old.
Chelsea have held direct talks with Rennes to sign Jeremy Jacquet
Romano has shared on X that Chelsea have been in “club-to-club talks” with Rennes over the last 24 hours to sign Jacquet.
With nothing agreed yet, for the time being, Rosenior will have to get by with Fofana, Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong.
On paper, that is more than enough numbers. However, Fofana and Badiashile have poor injury records, while Adarabioyo’s form has been concerning this season.
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Chelsea’s next game is against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. It will certainly be interesting to see what centre-half partnership Rosenior goes with.
In Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup earlier this week, he opted for Fofana and Chalobah.
How much Chelsea could have to pay to sign Jeremy Jacquet
If Chelsea do go on to land a centre-half during this transfer window, everything is pointing towards it being Jacquet. However, the France Under-21 international will not come cheap.
It is believed that Rennes want a £57m fee for Jacquet, which a club of Chelsea’s stature can afford. But is he going to be a clear upgrade on what they already have? At this stage, no, so spending nearly £60m on him seems pointless.
Really, that money should be going on a more experienced and reliable centre-half. Of course, that is not easy to find in the market right now. Had it been, perhaps Chelsea would be targeting someone else instead.
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