Chelsea step up centre-back talks in January
Chelsea are optimistic they can land a new centre-back this month, with talks now stepping up as the club looks to reinforce at the back and keep their longer-term defensive plan on track. Rennes’ 20-year-old defender Jeremy Jacquet is one of Chelsea’s main targets as they try to add a centre-back in January.
Who is Jeremy Jacquet?
Jacquet is viewed as a modern centre-back profile: right-footed, 1.90m, a France youth international, and already trusted at senior level. Rennes have tied him down to a long-term contract that runs until June 2029, which keeps the French club in a strong negotiating position. That contract length matters because any January move would likely require Chelsea to be decisive and persuasive, not only financially but also in explaining a clear pathway and role.
Agency angle: One Team Football behind Jacquet
A key detail in this story is the representation. Jacquet is represented by One Team Football, a France-based boutique agency with a growing footprint across Ligue 1 and broader European placements. In practical terms, that matters in a fast January negotiation: agencies with established club relationships and multi-league experience can accelerate the process, especially when a young player is being linked with a step up into the Premier League.
The agency also represents Olivier Giroud, former Chelsea player.
For Chelsea, the bigger picture is straightforward. They want to stabilise the defensive unit in the short term, without sacrificing the long-term plan built around Colwill’s return and the club’s broader recruitment model. The Jacquet pursuit fits that logic: a high-upside centre-back who can be developed within the system, while Chelsea stay alert to adding a midfielder or attacker if the right market opportunity appears before the window closes.
Strength and style of play
Jeremy Jacquet is a powerful, tall, athletic front-foot defender who has quickly become a key part of Rennes’ structure. After returning from loan, he featured in the first 14 games mainly as a right centre-back in a back three (12x RCB), with two appearances at right-back in a back four.
His standout traits are physicality and range: at 6'3” he covers ground with long strides, is quick for his size, strong in upper-body duels, and dominant aerially. That shows in the numbers too – 70.6% success rate in 1v1 duels (70th percentile) and 67.6% success rate in aerial duels – plus his long limbs and recovery ability make him effective at winning the ball back even when attackers create separation.
Defensively, Jacquet plays as the aggressor, stepping out to compress space and break attacks early – a true proactive, high-intensity stopper profile that Rennes trust. His output backs it up: 3.64 tackles + interceptions per game (93rd percentile), and his timing/execution in tackles is excellent for the most part.
He’s excellent aerially and in straight-line duels, but slower to adjust laterally, which can leave him vulnerable against fast wingers and sharp changes of direction. His aggressive stepping can also be overdone at times (still learning risk management and “blindside scanning”), and discipline is an area to improve too: 4 yellow cards in 16 Ligue 1 games, including a red card vs PSG.
In possession he’s a confident, powerful ball-carrier who can break the first line and finds forward, line-breaking passes and switches – but under pressure he can rush decisions, be inconsistent, and turn the ball over.
Jacquet's highlights below.
