Chelsea Accelerates Pursuit of Rennes Defender Jacquet

Chelsea Football Club has emerged as the frontrunner in the pursuit of Rennes star defender Jacquet, with interest escalating over the weekend. According to Fabrizio Romano, the club has reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with Jacquet for a move to West London this month.

Rennes is seeking a club-record fee of £56 million ($75 million) for Jacquet, a figure that would surpass the £52 million ($70 million) they received from Manchester City for Jeremy Doku in 2023.

Chelsea’s current offer is said to be below Rennes’ expectations, but it is anticipated that Jacquet will join Chelsea before the transfer window closes, as the club aims to support their new head coach, Liam Rosenior, in the January transfer market.

Rosenior replaced Enzo Maresca as Chelsea’s manager earlier this month following Maresca’s dismissal on New Year’s Day. The 41-year-old made an impressive start, leading the team to a 5-1 victory over Charlton in the FA Cup third round.

Following this win, Chelsea faced a setback with a 3-2 home defeat to rivals Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. However, they redeemed themselves with a 2-0 victory against Brentford, marking Rosenior’s first league win as head coach. Goals from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer ended Chelsea’s five-match winless streak in the Premier League, narrowing the gap to just two points behind Liverpool, who drew 1-1 with Burnley.

In his post-match remarks, Rosenior acknowledged that Chelsea’s performance against Brentford was not at their peak but praised the players’ determination and work ethic. “We demonstrated good attitude and energy, which are crucial against a capable team like Brentford, known for their set-plays and organization,” he stated.

Rosenior emphasized that while the team did not showcase the free-flowing football he aspires to, they secured a vital win. Captain Reece James echoed these sentiments, highlighting the necessity of winning even when the team is not performing at its best. He noted the challenges of adapting to a new managerial style amid a congested fixture schedule, stating, “Things take time, and we’re trying to learn as much as possible in a short period.”

James also stressed the importance of squad depth as they navigate a demanding season with multiple competitions still at stake. Chelsea will look to build on their recent success when they host Pafos in the Champions League midweek, currently sitting 13th in the league phase, just two points shy of automatic qualification spots.