Chelsea Eyes Jacquet as January Target Amid Defensive Restructuring

Chelsea FC has identified defender Jacquet as a key target following his impressive performances for Rennes in France. The player is reportedly keen on a transfer to Stamford Bridge and has already reached an agreement on personal terms with the Premier League club.

Rennes coach, Rosenior, addressed inquiries about Jacquet’s potential move to Chelsea but refrained from commenting on ongoing speculation regarding his club’s negotiations. Ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Champions League match against Pafos, he stated, “I don’t speak about players at other clubs. Until something is agreed, I believe it is disrespectful to speculate, regardless of its truth. I will discuss it at the appropriate time.”

According to RMC Sport, Chelsea has devised a new strategy to secure Jacquet by planning to sign him in January while immediately loaning him back to Rennes for the remainder of the season. Chelsea is expected to make an initial bid of €50 million (£43 million), although Rennes is holding out for €60 million (£52 million). To facilitate this transfer, Chelsea has recalled David Datro Fofana from his loan spell in Turkey to open up a roster spot.

Rennes’ head coach, Habib Beye, expressed his desire to retain the young talent, emphasizing Jacquet’s significance to the team’s ambitions. He commented, “He is currently a crucial player for our objectives. If we were to lose him, it would necessitate a reassessment of our expectations. While interest from prominent clubs can generate uncertainty, I am resolute about this situation; he is indispensable to us. We must resist such approaches, although there are factors beyond my control. We will see how it unfolds in the coming days.”

As Chelsea evaluates its defensive strategy, Rosenior has also reinstated Axel Disasi to first-team training. Disasi, previously sidelined as part of the club’s ‘bomb squad,’ has rejoined his teammates at the training facility ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League fixture. Rosenior explained this decision by saying, “I had a productive meeting with Disasi recently. I aimed to understand his current career status. I informed all players that there is a clean slate. It was essential to engage in meaningful dialogue with him. We had an excellent conversation, and I got to know him well. Given his past situation, he is behind in match fitness, and we will work diligently to bring him up to speed.”

Disasi has not participated in a match for Chelsea in the past 12 months, with his last appearance occurring against Wolves in January 2025. Chelsea hopes to finalize the deal for Jacquet in January, although fans may need to wait until next season to see the highly-rated defender in action. Meanwhile, the club is gearing up to host Pafos at Stamford Bridge, marking Rosenior’s debut as the head coach in a Champions League match.