Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes Jeremy Jacquet has the potential to become one of the finest centre-backs of the Premier League era at Anfield. Jacquet has made an impressive start to life on Merseyside, establishing a burgeoning partnership with club captain Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
The 21-year-old has become a full France international on the back of his displays for Andoni Iraola and Jacquet, a £60m signing from Rennes, has been a key player for a side who have only conceded eight goals in seven games, three of which came with 10 men against league leaders Manchester City.
Johnson's High Praise for Jacquet
Johnson, who made 200 appearances for the Reds between 2009 and 2015, talked up Jacquet as an exceptionally talented young player who could become one of the greats at centre-half.
“Yeah, without a doubt Jacquet is among the best centre-backs in the league," Johnson told Bearades. "To be honest, I’d never seen him play before he made his way to the Premier League. I’d obviously heard things, but I’d never seen him play.
“Then obviously when I did see him play, I was like, ‘wow, how have I never seen that before?’ Like you’d think it would be a ram down and exit, like it is in the Premier League.
Van Dijk Contract Situation
“But to me, he has everything. To be so young, he’s so good on the ball, so calm, a proper athlete, quick, strong. If he keeps improving, he could literally probably end up being the best centre-back the Premier League’s ever seen.
“Of course players like Virgil, they can’t be replaced. But you can get very good players that can perform. So you wouldn’t want him to replace van Dijk, you’d like to keep them both together. You know what I mean.”
“So yeah, it’s not about replacing van Dijk, but Jacquet can sort of fill that void in terms of like a big character that can dominate strikers the way Virg does. The longer you keep them two together, the longer you have Liverpool rubbing their hands together.”
Former England international Johnson also believes 35-year-old Van Dijk is well placed in potential contract talks with Liverpool as he edges nearer towards the end of his deal next summer. Johnson added: “I guess if van Dijk’s available for free, anything is possible. I would think, the way he’s still going, Liverpool would keep him for another year.
"But at this stage of his career, and his age, it’s down to what he wants. Whether he wants to still compete at the very top or start putting his slippers on. You don’t know. I think it will be down to what he wants to do. I think if he remains fit like this, Liverpool will at least try to keep him for another year.”
