Why Jérémy Jacquet is Liverpool's £60m 'heir to Virgil van Dijk'
Jérémy Jacquet, a fast, aggressive, and technically excellent defender, has been signed by Liverpool for £60m, marking a significant investment in the 20-year-old's burgeoning talent. After missing 18 months of football due to growth-related injuries, Jacquet has made a remarkable comeback, showcasing a 'complete' playing style that combines Marcel Desailly's defensive prowess with Laurent Blanc's creativity.
Overcoming adversity and rapid development
Jacquet's journey was not without challenges. During his teenage years, he grew by 10cm in a single year, leading to complications such as Osgood-Schlatter disease, which required surgery and sidelined him for an extended period. Laurent Viaud, his under-19s manager at Rennes, recalls this difficult phase, noting that the time off the pitch forged a resilient mentality in Jacquet. "When he came back, he wanted to eat everything up," says Viaud, highlighting the defender's determination to make up for lost time.
Despite these setbacks, Jacquet retained his technical gifts, which were honed early in his career while playing in midfield, inspired by Paul Pogba. This background has endowed him with a high football IQ and an expansive passing game, though he admits to occasional 'nonchalance' on the ball. His transition to defence was initially resisted but ultimately embraced under the guidance of his coaches, who saw his potential to excel in a deeper role.
Rise through the ranks and key loan spell
Jacquet's development accelerated during a loan spell at Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot, where he says his career truly began. This experience exposed him to different training conditions and helped him mature off the pitch. "It's off the pitch where we saw the difference," Viaud explains, emphasising how the move broadened Jacquet's perspective and prepared him for higher levels of competition.
His performances at Clermont were so impressive that Rennes paid nearly €1m to recall him early last February, making him the 17th-most expensive departure in Clermont's history. Upon returning to Rennes, Jacquet quickly became indispensable, starting 11 of the club's 14 remaining league games and playing a pivotal role in their rise up the table. This season, he has featured in every game bar two due to suspension, taking on a more senior role alongside younger teammates like Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.
Comparisons to legends and Premier League prospects
Jacquet's playing style has drawn comparisons to some of football's greats. Viaud, who has scouted for Liverpool in the past, sees him as the natural heir to Virgil van Dijk, citing similarities in their attributes and even suggesting Jacquet might be faster. "I think the recruiters have seen in Jérém the heir to Van Dijk because in a lot of areas Jérém looks like him," Viaud states, adding that any scout overlooking Jacquet's potential would be guilty of professional misconduct.
Further accolades describe Jacquet as a blend of Marcel Desailly's defensive solidity and Laurent Blanc's attacking creativity. "He can really define his generation of defenders," Viaud asserts, pointing to the immense potential in the young Frenchman. As Rennes' record sale, surpassing notable names like Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, Jacquet is poised to make a significant impact in the Premier League, where he will have leaders like Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté to guide him.
With his combination of physical growth, technical skill, and a hardened mentality forged through adversity, Jérémy Jacquet stands ready to fill the big shoes expected of him at Liverpool, aiming to leave a lasting mark on English football.
