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.
