Liam Rosenior confirms transfer non-negotiable as Chelsea weigh up double deal

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·23 janvier 2026

Liam Rosenior confirms transfer non-negotiable as Chelsea weigh up double deal

Blues are interested in both Jeremy Jacquet and Douglas Luiz this month

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior wants any new January signing to make a “clear impact” on the team.

Chelsea have this month been in discussions with Rennes over the possible signing of centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, and Standard Sport understands that a new midfielder and attacker are also being considered either before the February 2 deadline or in the summer.

There is interest in hijacking Nottingham Forest’s loan of Douglas Luiz, with a view to take him on a similiar deal until the end of the season, to provide added quality and depth in central midfield.

Rosenior wants more cover in midfield given Romeo Lavia’s ongoing fitness issues, and his need for a new central midfielder heightened this week with Dario Essugo ruled out for a number of weeks after suffering an injury in training.

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“Unfortunately Dario picked up a really unfortunate injury,” Rosenior said on Friday when discussing Chelsea’s midfield.

“He slipped in training and he's going to be out for a while, over a month, which is a real shame because he's an outstanding player that I was really looking forward to working with.

“Romeo's on the way back, which is great because he can say about every player outstanding. He's a very, very good player at a very high level.

Douglas Luiz is of interest

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“In terms of my midfield options you've got Enzo [Fernandez], Moi [Moises Caicedo], Andrey Santos, Reece James. It's not bad. I've been really clear on this: I don't want to bring in players that don't enhance the group or the chemistry that we're building.

“So we have to be very selective at this stage of the season. If we do bring in the right player in a certain position, they have to have a clear impact on the team.”

Quizzed on when Lavia might return, he added: “I want him back as quickly as possible. But I want him back as quickly as possible with no more injuries.

“That's the difference. I don't want to force him. I just had a conversation about Cole [Palmer] or other people in the squad. I've got a good enough squad to manage the group, I feel, and get results.

“But also I want Lavia to come back in a place where we know they can get game time and get repetitive games and get a flunk because he's an outstanding player.”