Chelsea make £35m star the “main candidate” for Rosenior

Chelsea have made signing a centre-back their precedence now that Liam Rosenior is settled into his seat on the Stamford Bridge helm.

There’s a sense that the Blues are sad with their extensive attacking choices, one thing that was underlined throughout the festive interval, when an enquiry was lodged for Bournemouth talisman Antoine Semenyo, who has since signed for Manchester Metropolis.

However a five-match winless run within the Premier League tells of a necessity for extra stability on the again for the west Londoners, and with Levi Colwill nonetheless a long-term absentee, the rearguard is an space to be careful for forward of the ultimate few weeks of the January switch window.

How Chelsea plan to strengthen their defence

Chelsea have by no means been thought of a number one candidate within the race for Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi, who’s seemingly closing on a winter switch to Man Metropolis.

Guehi is not the one gifted centre-half in the marketplace, however he is a product of Chelsea’s Cobham academy and has spearheaded Oliver Glasner’s trophy-rich stint at Selhurst Park. If Chelsea require a fallback, they need to guarantee they hit the jackpot.

With that in thoughts, The Telegraph’s Matt Regulation has now confirmed {that a} new centre-back is certainly on the prime of Chelsea’s want listing, with Jeremy Jacquet on the prime of BlueCo’s reckoning.

Insider Simon Phillips has corroborated this, confirming the younger Frenchman is a “main candidate” to affix the Londoners.

Jacquet, 20, has been glorious for Rennes since breaking from the Ligue 1 facet’s academy, and whereas £35m is a pointy determine, it is solely going to mushroom as he continues to make waves over the approaching years, with Arsenal and Liverpool amongst additional events.

Why Jacquet might be Chelsea’s personal Guehi

Jacquet is younger, however he is performed with such maturity and intelligence throughout the opening years of his skilled profession, main analyst Ben Mattinson to counsel he has “top-five centre-back on the earth potential“.

His anticipation is outstanding, particularly for one so inexperienced. As per FBref, Jacquet ranks among the many prime 15% of centre-backs throughout Europe for tackles received and the highest 5% for interceptions per 90, telling a lot of his capability to learn the sport like a scholar, then making use of his data to make the fitting resolution on the proper time.

With such composure, this might be Guehi 2.0, a participant who Chelsea are sure to nonetheless harbour frustrations over promoting to Crystal Palace for £18m in 2021.

Certainly, trying on the defenders’ respective metrics of their respective divisions this time period, it is clear to see that Jacquet is on his solution to emulating one of many Premier League’s most interesting, commanding on the ball whereas matching him for recoveries, charge of defensive contributions and success charge within the duel.

Whereas Chelsea have a wealth of choices at their disposal, Rosenior’s facet maybe lack the form of high quality required to solidify their backline and shut the hole on table-topping rivals Arsenal.

The Gunners, after all, are in for Rennes’ prized defender, and so it is clear that Chelsea might hit the jackpot by signing a participant deemed worthy of a job in Mikel Arteta’s backline.

An “insane centre-back within the making“, based on expertise scout Jacek Kulig, Jacquet is one for the long run, to make sure, however he is additionally emerged as a mainstay in a robust Rennes backline; the French facet are sixth within the standings, trailing third-place Marseille by solely two factors.

Simply think about how a lot progress he may need made in 5 years time, a core a part of a Chelsea defence anticipated to function the bedrock of a multi-title-winning crew.

Associated

Chelsea have held talks this week to signal their reply to Antoine Semenyo

Chelsea wish to signal a gifted winger earlier than the tip of the January switch market.