FEATURE | How will Jérémy Jacquet fit at Liverpool under Andoni Iraola? | OneFootball

Liverpool have already moved to address a future problem before it becomes an urgent one. Jérémy Jacquet will join from Stade Rennais this summer in a deal worth £55m, with a further £5m in add-ons.

For a 20-year-old centre-back with fewer than 40 Ligue 1 appearances, that is a significant fee. However, Liverpool are not paying for what Jacquet is now – a raw talent with a high ceiling. They are paying for what they believe he can become.

The financials

The price is high, but the logic is clear. Liverpool are buying a player before he reaches his peak value. Jacquet is already a France U21 international, has been tied down by Rennes until 2029, and fits the profile of a defender that elite Premier League sides now chase: tall, quick, aggressive and comfortable in possession. If he had another strong season in Ligue 1 or broken into the senior France squad, that fee would have only risen.

Why does Jacquet fit Iraola’s system?

Liverpool’s move for Jacquet makes even more sense when viewed through the lens of Andoni Iraola’s appointment. The Spaniard’s teams defend aggressively. His Bournemouth side pressed high, forced turnovers in advanced areas and asked their defenders to cover large spaces behind the defensive line. That makes Jacquet a natural fit.

In Ligue 1 this season, Jacquet played 1,673 minutes and started all 19 of his appearances. He won 75.5% of his aerial duels, completed 90.4% of his passes and recorded 27 tackles, 19 interceptions and 91 clearances. Those numbers highlight a defender who is reliable in the fundamentals, but his appeal goes beyond his defensive work.

Among Ligue 1 centre-backs, Jacquet ranked in the top quartile for possessions won and above average for progressive passes completed. He is not simply clearing danger. He is helping his side move up the pitch. The Frenchman is comfortable stepping out of defence to engage attackers early rather than dropping deep and waiting for danger to develop. His recovery pace, aerial ability, and composure in possession align closely with the demands Iraola places on his centre-backs. Iraola also has a great record at nurturing young defenders, with Dean Huijsen and James Hill, both prominent case studies. This bodes well for the young Frenchman. 

Liverpool’s new head coach wants defenders who can win duels and restart attacks quickly. Jacquet already profiles strongly in both areas.

Succession planning

Virgil van Dijk remains Liverpool’s defensive leader, but he cannot be the long-term plan forever. Ibrahima Konaté’s time at the club has come to an end, while Joe Gomez continues to fight repeated injury issues. Jacquet’s arrival shows the Anfield outfit has started to plan for the future. 

He does not need to arrive as an immediate starter. In fact, that may be the wrong approach. A gradual pathway, learning alongside Van Dijk and competing with Leoni and Gomez would make more sense. His physical profile also helps. At 1.90m, he gives Liverpool another dominant aerial presence. That matters in the Premier League, where centre-backs are tested more directly than in Ligue 1.

The chance to learn from the best

Playing alongside Virgil van Dijk could prove invaluable for the 20-year-old’s development. The Dutchman remains one of the Premier League’s leading defenders and one of football’s most accomplished defensive organisers. His positioning, communication and ability to manage games would ease the burden on a young centre-back adapting to a new league and a high-pressure environment currently undergoing major change.

Jacquet would not be expected to lead Liverpool’s back line immediately. Instead, he can learn alongside a player who has excelled at defending high lines, dominating aerial duels and building attacks from deep. This invaluable experience could accelerate his development significantly as part of the succession plan to replace someone who is seen as, by many, irreplaceable.

Liverpool have often succeeded by integrating young defenders gradually rather than throwing them straight into the spotlight. With Van Dijk alongside him, the centre back will have the ideal mentor as he adjusts to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

The risk

Risk still exists. The Rennes defender is young and not yet polished. His disciplinary record this season, four yellow cards and one red card, suggests there are moments when his aggression needs controlling. He also suffered a shoulder injury after Liverpool agreed the deal, which adds another layer of uncertainty before his arrival. Nevertheless, these are not deal-breakers. Liverpool are not signing the finished article. They are signing a defender with the tools to become a long-term starter.

Verdict

Jacquet fits Liverpool’s needs in several ways. He is young, athletic, strong in the air, composed in possession and comfortable defending aggressively. The fee will bring pressure. There is no avoiding that. However, Liverpool have acted early. Instead of waiting until the market becomes even more expensive, they have moved for one of Ligue 1’s most promising centre-backs before he becomes impossible to buy. Under Iraola, Jacquet’s front-foot style could make him more than just defensive cover. He has the attributes to become Liverpool’s next long-term stalwart at centre-back.

GFFN | Liam Wraith