Liverpool have reached an agreement for a £55 million (plus £5 million in performance-related add-ons) transfer to acquire young defender Jérémy Jacquet this summer. At just 20 years old, he is still in the process of development, but early indications suggest he has the potential to evolve into a commanding center back.
His physical attributes are remarkable. He possesses quick acceleration, agility, speed over longer distances, and impressive jumping ability — he recorded a top speed of 34.5 km/h against Lille this season according to Gradient Sports, while his aerial win rate stands at an impressive 75.5%. He is also adept with the ball, consistently seeking to deliver swift passes through defensive lines and demonstrating a strong ability to switch play to the opposite side.
Hailing from Paris, Jacquet has emerged as one of the standout center backs in French Ligue 1 this season, following his recall from a loan at Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot by Rennes a year ago. He is part of a remarkable 2005 generation that has come through at Rennes, alongside players such as Desire Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Mathys Tel (Tottenham Hotspur), and Jeanuël Belocian (Bayer Leverkusen).
He has represented France at every youth level since U17 and has caught the attention of Didier Deschamps for potential inclusion in the senior team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Thus, Liverpool appear to have secured a valuable asset, having outmaneuvered Chelsea for his signature, although some may question why he is not joining this month instead of in the summer. — Sam Tighe and Julien Laurens
Position
It is important to highlight that Jacquet’s most notable performances have predominantly occurred in a back three (he is currently positioned centrally, while last year he played on the left despite being right-footed), and these roles differ significantly from those in a conventional two-man central partnership.
However, he has prior experience in a back four during his loan at Clermont, as well as with various successful French youth teams, so there should not be any significant surprises in that regard. — Tighe
Strengths
What is immediately apparent is how well-rounded he appears as a modern center back; both physically and technically, he checks nearly all the boxes.
His agility is notably impressive for a 6-foot-2 defender, as he consistently seems in control of his movements, and his speed is commendable during both short recovery runs and longer defensive sprints. Additionally, he exhibits a remarkable sense of calm; he plays with his head up, rarely appears rushed, and carries himself with a composed, almost effortless authority that is uncommon not only for a 20-year-old but for young defenders in general.
Moreover, he is a competent box defender, prepared for clearances and attentive to second balls, and he handles aerial challenges exceptionally well.
His elegance is complemented by excellent technical skills and quality on the ball. Jacquet’s first touch is reliable, enabling him to control the ball under pressure, and he is adept at circulating it in tight spaces and playing out from the back (although his left-footed distribution could be improved), which is an essential skill for center backs in possession-oriented teams.
While his short passing is dependable and effective, it is his long-range distribution that stands out as a significant asset. He frequently executes impressive switches of play and incisive — often one-touch — passes through central areas, often breaking opposition lines in a single movement.
There is rarely an unnecessary extra touch that disrupts momentum, meaning his distribution can create problems for an unbalanced defense. Indeed, for a defender of his age, that speed of action is already at a high level. — Tor-Kristian Karlsen
How he can improve
The 4-0 loss to Monaco on Saturday highlighted several areas for improvement. On the first goal, Jacquet failed to adequately intercept a line-breaking central pass, stepping forward without fully assessing the space, which left him out of position and allowed Monaco to exploit the channel.
The last two goals followed a similar pattern. On both occasions, Jacquet was inexplicably drawn wide to the left side, just inside the opposing half, and he mistimed his challenges, leaving his back line vulnerable.
While it may be overly critical to focus on individual defensive mistakes — especially for a young center back — these instances illustrate that there are still areas for growth in his positional discipline, spatial awareness, and split-second defensive decision-making, particularly when stepping out of the defensive line. — Karlsen
Who else were linked?
Bayern Munich initially expressed interest, but sources have informed ESPN that Chelsea also matched the £60 million fee that Liverpool agreed with Rennes, and personal terms were not anticipated to be a problem.
However, Chelsea have a surplus of center backs and have recalled Mamadou Sarr from loan while also rejecting offers for Josh Acheampong, meaning there would be less competition for places at Liverpool compared to the Blues. There is an expectation that Ibrahima Konaté could depart Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season, and after missing out on Marc Guéhi, Jacquet could quickly make his mark on Merseyside. — James Olley
How will he fit at Liverpool?
Liverpool have faced defensive challenges throughout the season, making the summer acquisition of Jacquet crucial for strengthening the Reds’ backline. With Konaté’s future uncertain and Joe Gomez having experienced another injury-plagued campaign, the addition of promising prospect Jacquet is a logical move.
Arne Slot’s team has already been planning for the future by signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma last summer, with the Italy youth international previously regarded as one of the best young center backs globally before suffering an ACL injury on his debut in September.
Given that 34-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk’s contract runs until 2027, it is prudent for Liverpool to make long-term signings, and Jacquet is viewed as possessing all the qualities necessary for success on Merseyside.
Nonetheless, Slot currently has a shortage of defensive options as the season progresses. With Jacquet not expected to arrive until the summer and a move for Sunderland loanee Lutsharel Geertruida now unlikely, the Anfield management faces a critical few months. — Beth Lindop
Many young footballers find themselves caught up in the large squads of super clubs, struggle to make an impact, and ultimately see their value diminish. Despite Jacquet’s evident talent — and he is indeed a remarkable young player — the rationale behind joining Chelsea, who currently have 10 first-team center backs, raises questions, especially as they manage loans for Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino while seeking a new destination for Axel Disasi.
In contrast, Liverpool are significantly lacking in this area — to the extent that Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch have had to contribute defensively — and could potentially lose Konaté for free in the summer.
Football is a numbers game. Sometimes, the math doesn’t require the brilliance of Manuel Akanji to figure out. — Tighe
Integration will be vital. The aspects that still need development — positioning, early danger recognition, and deciding when to maintain shape versus when to engage the ball — are precisely the elements that tend to be most rigorously tested by the pace and physical demands of the Premier League.
That said, there are reasons to believe his adjustment could be swifter than anticipated. Training and playing alongside the experienced and organizationally astute Virgil van Dijk should be highly beneficial. Competing in a back four should also naturally reduce the level of freelancing that he seems prone to in Rennes’ relatively inexperienced back three.
Within Slot’s framework, Jacquet’s composure, athleticism, and passing range should, with time, prove to be an excellent match. — Karlsen
