Jeremy Jacquet is among the six newcomers Zidane summoned and the youngest selected. At 21, after Premier League and Champions League action, he joined the French squad at Clairefontaine on Monday. Still on loan in Ligue 2 less than two years ago from Rennes, the centre‑back’s rise has been meteoric since his Liverpool debut.
‘Player of the match! Well deserved!’ reads the caption, showing a shy‑looking Jacquet clutching his award. He earned the honor after Liverpool’s 1‑0 win at Bournemouth, receiving the trophy from teammate Virgil Van Dijk.
The Reds captain hoisted Jacquet in a brotherly embrace, calling him ‘the first of many’. Arriving in England this summer, the former Rennes academy product has already cemented a Premier League spot in just weeks. He started all five league games and featured in Liverpool’s 2‑1 Champions League win over Atlético Madrid at Anfield, marking his European debut. Now the international stage and Les Bleus await.
Less than two years ago he was playing Ligue 2 for Clermont on loan from Rennes, his training club. The rapid climb surprises few, including Rennes president Arnaud Pouille, who says, ‘I told him he’d end up in the national team. We both knew it.’ He adds, ‘His recent explosion is still spectacular.’
In January 2025, while Rennes struggled, the club terminated his loan in Auvergne, even paying a buy‑out estimated between €500,000 and €900,000 to bring him back. After just two half‑seasons in Ligue 1, Liverpool splashed over €60 million, making the deal one of the club’s biggest alongside Désiré Doué’s PSG move and Jérémy Doku’s switch to Manchester City.
‘When he arrived at 14, nobody called him a phenomenon.’
Although Jacquet has been touted for seasons as a future star, former Rennes academy director Landry Chauvin recalls, ‘We never discussed him as a phenomenon when he arrived at 14.’
The 2005‑born talents were mainly Désiré Doué and Mathys Tel. Jacquet joined from Joinville, initially earmarked as a potential centre‑back partner for Tel, who then played in defence. Tall and lean, his physique took time to fill out, leading to occasional muscle and joint niggles. At 14 we recognized his huge potential, tracking his morphological growth alongside his family—father, mother, and a sister who was a high‑level athlete. He couldn’t stay at 1.70 m; that was impossible. Still, we await the moment he truly blossoms, unlike Doué, who dazzled at nine.
Power, speed, and progressive play—hallmarks of the modern defender.
Jacquet lets his body develop naturally. Seasons may be irregular, but ‘once he consistently plays, he jumps to another dimension,’ says Chauvin. ‘He imposes himself, shows leadership, and reads the game brilliantly. Over time he’s become a true defender at heart, timing his interventions perfectly. There’s still huge room to grow, especially aerially, and the Premier League will accelerate that.’
Today he embodies the modern centre‑back: tall, powerful, quick, and never out‑positioned. Johan Gastien, his former Clermont teammate, sums it up: ‘He’s intelligent in placement, complete.’ I think his rapid adaptation signals a future top‑world player, especially with Liverpool’s environment sharpening his skills.
‘A great maturity, he climbs the ranks swiftly,’ says Rouault. Will he become a mainstay for France in the next World Cup?
Former Rennes teammate Anthony Rouault admits he’s ‘impressed by how easily Jacquet has settled in the Premier League. Honestly, his performances are outstanding!’ He adds the defender’s mental strength stands out: ‘He shows remarkable maturity for his age, coupled with a relentless work ethic. He knows his goals and builds the path to achieve them.’
Chauvin reinforces: ‘He’s got a sound mind and solid shoulders.’ Despite big‑club calls and a hefty transfer fee, his family‑centric support has kept him grounded.
For Chauvin, Jacquet has a genuine card to play with Les Bleus. ‘At Liverpool he features regularly under an Spanish coach who values ball‑playing centre‑backs,’ he notes, aligning with Zidane’s preferences. ‘He blends Laurent Blanc’s elegance with a Desailly‑type aggression.’ The comparisons are flattering; now Jacquet must carve his own path.