Jeremy Jacquet joined Liverpool for £60 million from Rennes, hoping to achieve greater success than Bernard Diomede, a World Cup winner who appeared in only five matches during his time at the club around the millennium. Diomede’s stint at Anfield proved disappointing, yet his influence on the young defender has been instrumental in shaping Jacquet’s career trajectory and positioning him for this significant move.
Over the past decade, Diomede has worked extensively with France’s youth development programs. He gave Jacquet his international debut at the U18, U19, and U20 levels, providing crucial early exposure and guidance. The 20-year-old centre-back accumulated nearly as many appearances under Diomede’s coaching as he did for Rennes’ senior squad, demonstrating the depth of their mentoring relationship and its importance to his development.
Jacquet’s breakthrough moment came during the 2024 European Under-19 Championship, where he earned selection to the tournament’s best eleven as France reached the final before losing to Spain. His performances alongside Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi and Chelsea’s Mamadou Sarr captured attention from Europe’s elite clubs. Growing up in Bondy, a Paris suburb that also produced Kylian Mbappe, William Saliba, and Randal Kolo Muani, Jacquet’s path has followed similar patterns to other French talents.
His early years at Rennes coincided with players like Desire Doue and Mathys Tel, though a growth spurt caused injuries that limited his progression. Originally playing midfield and admiring Paul Pogba, Jacquet switched to centre-back and began idolizing Liverpool defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Making his senior debut in January 2024, he subsequently chose to join struggling Clermont on loan to secure regular playing time, displaying remarkable maturity and determination.
The 6ft 2in defender showcases a distinctive modern style, combining physical presence with technical proficiency. He excels at building play from defence and executing decisive passes to break opposition lines. By February 2025, strong performances at Clermont prompted Rennes to recall him, establishing him as a regular starter under manager Habib Beye and attracting Liverpool’s investment ahead of other interested parties.
