Liverpool has finalized a deal worth £55 million (plus an additional £5 million in potential add-ons) to acquire young defender Jérémy Jacquet this summer. At just 20 years old, he is still in the stages of development, but early indications suggest that he is on track to become a formidable center back.
Jacquet’s physical attributes are remarkable, boasting rapid acceleration, agility, sustained pace, and impressive jumping ability. He recorded a top speed of 34.5 km/h in a match against Lille this season, as noted by Gradient Sports, along with a remarkable aerial win rate of 75.5%. He’s also adept on the ball, consistently looking to make quick, incisive passes through opposing defenses, and has a strong ability to switch play to the opposite flank.
Hailing from Paris, Jacquet has established himself as one of the standout center backs in the French Ligue 1 since being recalled from a loan at Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot by Rennes last year. He is part of an impressive 2005 generation that includes talents like Desire Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Mathys Tel (Tottenham Hotspur), and Jeanuël Belocian (Bayer Leverkusen).
He has represented France at various youth levels since under-17, and national team coach Didier Deschamps is reportedly considering him for future senior squad selections ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Liverpool’s acquisition comes after they fought off interest from Chelsea, making Jacquet a valuable catch, though some may wonder why he isn’t joining until summer. — Sam Tighe and Julien Laurens
Position
It’s important to highlight that most of Jacquet’s impressive performances have come while playing in a back three (typically occupying the central role), while he has also gained experience on the left side despite being right-footed. These responsibilities differ considerably from playing in a traditional two-man central defensive pairing.
Nonetheless, he has prior experience in a back four during his loan with Clermont and through his participation in strong French youth squads, so he should adapt well to various defensive structures. — Tighe
Strengths
Jacquet is notable for his well-rounded profile as a modern center back; he excels both physically and technically.
His agility for a 6-foot-2 player is striking, giving him command over his movements, while his speed is exceptional during recovery runs and longer defensive sprints. His game is characterized by a composed demeanor; he maintains awareness of the pitch, rarely appears hurried, and exhibits a calm authority that is impressive for a 20-year-old in his position.
Jacquet is also proficient in defensive situations, ready to make clearances and attentive to second balls, with particular skill in aerial battles.
His elegance on the ball is complemented by excellent technical ability; his first touch is reliable, allowing him to handle pressure efficiently and circulate the ball in tight spaces, though there’s room for improvement in his left-footed distribution, a crucial skill for center backs in possession-dominant teams.
His short passing is dependable, but it’s his longer distribution that stands out as a true asset. He regularly executes effective switches and incisive passes that penetrate opposition lines, facilitating rapid transitions.
Jacquet avoids unnecessary touches that can disrupt rhythm, meaning his distribution effectively challenges unbalanced defenses. At his age, his speed of play is already impressive. — Tor-Kristian Karlsen
Areas for Improvement
A recent 4-0 defeat against Monaco highlighted aspects of Jacquet’s game that require development. On the first goal, he struggled to intercept a crucial central pass, stepping forward without recognizing the space and becoming out of position, opening a channel for Monaco.
The final two goals exhibited similar issues, as he was inexplicably drawn wide and mistimed his challenges, leaving his defense vulnerable.
While it’s perhaps overly critical to scrutinize a young defender’s errors, these instances serve as reminders of the need for improvement in his positional discipline, awareness of space, and timing in defensive judgments. — Karlsen
Other Interested Clubs
Bayern Munich initially showed interest, but reports indicate that Chelsea also matched Liverpool’s £60 million agreement with Rennes, with personal terms unlikely to be a hurdle.
However, with Chelsea already having a surplus of center-backs and recalling Mamadou Sarr from loan and keeping Josh Acheampong, Liverpool offered a clearer pathway for Jacquet. With Ibrahima Konaté potentially leaving Liverpool on a free transfer, Jacquet could quickly become a key figure at Anfield. — James Olley
Jacquet’s Fit at Liverpool
Liverpool has faced defensive challenges throughout the season, and Jacquet’s summer arrival is seen as essential for reinforcing the side’s defense. With Konaté’s future uncertain and Joe Gomez experiencing yet another injury-riddled campaign, signing a promising talent like Jacquet makes strategic sense.
Manager Arne Slot has already taken steps to plan for the future, having acquired Giovanni Leoni from Parma last summer. He was previously viewed as one of the top young center-backs until he suffered an ACL injury on his debut in September.
Given that 34-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk is under contract through 2027, securing young talents for the long haul is a smart move for Liverpool, and Jacquet is regarded as someone capable of finding significant success on Merseyside.
However, with Jacquet not joining until the summer and with a sought-after target in Sunderland loanee Lutsharel Geertruida now unlikely to happen, Liverpool faces a critical few months regarding their defensive roster. — Beth Lindop
Many young players often get absorbed into the vast squads of super clubs, find it difficult to make an impact, and subsequently see their talent fade. Although Jacquet possesses immense potential, skeptics may question the wisdom of joining Chelsea, a club currently holding an astounding 10 first-team center backs and managing loans for players like Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino while figuring out where to send Axel Disasi?
In contrast, Liverpool is significantly short on defensive personnel, with players like Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch having to fill in at the back—and could risk losing Konaté on a free transfer this summer.
Football is essentially a numbers game. It’s not rocket science to see that. — Tighe
Adaptation will be key for Jacquet. The areas requiring growth—like positioning, early danger recognition, and discerning when to hold shape versus when to engage—are precisely the aspects that tend to be intensely challenged by the Premier League’s fast tempo and physical demands.
That said, there are strong reasons to believe that his adjustment could be more rapid than anticipated. Training alongside an experienced leader like Virgil van Dijk will be incredibly beneficial. Additionally, transitioning to a back four can naturally limit some of the flexibility that he has exhibited within Rennes’ relatively inexperienced back three.
With time, Jacquet’s composure, athleticism, and range of passing should become a great fit within Slot’s tactical framework. — Karlsen