Could Jérémy Jacquet be the next Virgil van Dijk? It’s a bold claim, but one that’s gaining traction as Liverpool secures the young defender for a staggering £60m. But here’s where it gets controversial: is Jacquet truly ready to step into the shoes of one of the 21st century’s greatest defenders? Let’s dive in.
This time last year, Jacquet was recalled by Rennes from a loan spell at Ligue 2’s Clermont Foot. Fast forward to now, and he’s making headlines as Liverpool’s latest high-profile signing. But his journey hasn’t been without hurdles. At just 16, Jacquet faced a growth spurt of 10cm in a single year, leading to 18 months of sidelined play and surgery to remove cartilage. And this is the part most people miss: those setbacks became the catalyst for his resurgence. Laurent Viaud, his under-19s manager, recalls, ‘When he returned, he was hungry—almost too hungry. We had to rein him in to prevent burnout.’
Jacquet’s time away from the pitch forged a unique mentality. ‘Players who’ve been injured come back with a deeper drive,’ Viaud explains. ‘They know what it’s like to be sidelined, and it fuels their ambition.’ But it wasn’t just his mindset that impressed. Despite his physical transformation, Jacquet retained his technical prowess—a rarity for players experiencing rapid growth. Already labeled a ‘complete’ defender, he combines speed, aggression, aerial dominance, and exceptional technical skill, honed during his early years as a midfielder.
Inspired by Paul Pogba, Jacquet’s passing game is expansive, though occasionally overambitious. Initially reluctant to play deeper, he trusted his coaches’ vision. ‘They knew more than I did,’ he admits. This humility, paired with his football IQ, has made him a standout talent. Viaud notes, ‘His ability to read the game and anticipate ball trajectories has skyrocketed.’
Jacquet’s loan at Clermont Foot was a turning point. ‘It was off the pitch where the real growth happened,’ Viaud says. ‘He saw the stark contrast between Ligue 2’s training conditions and Rennes’s privileged environment. It gave him perspective.’ His performances in Ligue 2 were so impressive that Rennes paid nearly €1m to cut his loan short, making him Clermont’s 17th-most expensive departure—a fee manager Laurent Batlles desperately tried to avoid.
Back at Rennes, Jacquet became indispensable. Despite the arrival of Anthony Rouault and Lilian Brassier for a combined €25m, he started 11 of the remaining 14 league games, helping the team climb the table. This season, he’s been a mainstay, missing only two games due to suspension. Partnered with 19-year-old Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Jacquet has embraced a leadership role, both on and off the pitch. ‘I need to be a stronger presence,’ he says. While he admits to occasional ‘nonchalance,’ his confidence and ambition bode well for his Premier League debut.
But here’s the million-dollar question: Can Jacquet truly succeed Virgil van Dijk? Viaud, a former Liverpool scout, believes so. ‘In many ways, Jérém reminds me of Van Dijk—he’s even faster,’ he says. ‘He has much to learn, but the similarities are striking.’ Viaud goes as far as to call Jacquet a blend of Marcel Desailly’s defensive prowess and Laurent Blanc’s attacking flair. ‘He could define his generation of defenders,’ he adds.
As Rennes’ record sale, surpassing even Ousmane Dembélé, Jacquet’s potential is undeniable. But will he live up to the hype? Only time will tell. What do you think? Is Jacquet the heir to Van Dijk, or is it too early to tell? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
