Former Liverpool captain praises Jacquet move

Jacquet Transfer Sparks Debate as Jamie Redknapp and Dugarry Clash Over Liverpool Deal

Liverpool’s decision to secure Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth up to £60 million has triggered a sharp divide among former players and pundits, with Jamie Redknapp and Christophe Dugarry offering contrasting verdicts on one of the club’s most significant recent investments.

According to reporting from TEAMtalk, the Reds moved decisively to hijack interest from Chelsea and finalise an agreement with Rennes, committing to £55 million upfront plus performance-related bonuses. The move reflects Liverpool’s intention to strengthen their defensive options under Arne Slot, while also planning for long-term succession.

Yet while club executives remain confident in the strategy, the scale of the fee and Jacquet’s limited senior experience have ensured the deal remains under intense scrutiny.

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Jacquet Deal Raises Eyebrows Across Europe

Jeremy Jacquet arrives at Anfield having made just 56 senior appearances in professional football, a figure that has inevitably fuelled debate about value and risk. Despite his impressive physical profile and technical development at Rennes, the transfer represents a significant leap.

Speaking to RMC Sport, former France international Christophe Dugarry delivered one of the most striking critiques of the move. While stressing that his comments were not aimed personally at the player, he questioned Liverpool’s willingness to meet Rennes’ valuation.

“This isn’t meant to offend the player; honestly, he’s not to blame at all, and we wish him all the best because he’s a good player,” Dugarry said.

“When you have suckers like that… Well done to Rennes. Rennes managed to find a sucker like Liverpool for 72 million euros.”

Those remarks quickly circulated across European media, reinforcing concerns that Liverpool may have overpaid in an increasingly inflated transfer market.

However, within the club, the belief remains that Jacquet’s ceiling justifies the investment, particularly as elite centre-backs continue to command premium fees across the Premier League.

Jamie Redknapp Backs Liverpool Strategy

In contrast to Dugarry’s scepticism, Jamie Redknapp has emerged as one of the most prominent supporters of the transfer. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool midfielder argued that Jacquet’s pedigree and potential make the deal logical within the club’s broader planning.

“I actually love this signing. It’s £60m. Of course, it’s a lot of money, but he’s obviously got great pedigree. Everyone talks so highly of him,” Redknapp said.

“Chelsea obviously scouted him really well. Liverpool have come in with a late bid and managed to get him across the line. I think it makes an enormous amount of sense to do that move.”

Redknapp also highlighted the importance of timing and development, referencing how young defenders can struggle when rushed into high-pressure environments.

“So he’s missed out on a year, two years of development of playing every single game,” he added. “Whereas for him to stay at Rennes, get another four or five months to the end of the season, play, get experience, make mistakes when you’re a young defender, and then come to Liverpool when he’s ready.”

For Redknapp, the key lies in patience, rather than immediate impact.

Long-Term Planning Under Arne Slot

From Liverpool’s perspective, Jacquet’s arrival aligns closely with Arne Slot’s evolving squad-building strategy. With Virgil van Dijk entering the latter stages of his career and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate’s long-term future, defensive succession has become a priority.

The club’s recruitment team has increasingly targeted players aged between 19 and 23, combining resale value with developmental upside. Jacquet fits this profile precisely.

Sources close to the deal, as cited by TEAMtalk, suggest Liverpool were particularly impressed by Jacquet’s positional awareness, aerial dominance, and adaptability within a high defensive line. These attributes are viewed as essential within Slot’s tactical framework.

By allowing Jacquet to remain at Rennes until the summer, Liverpool are also seeking to manage the transition carefully, reducing immediate pressure and maximising preparation time.

This approach mirrors previous long-term investments made by the club, where early criticism was often followed by strong returns once players settled.

Risk Versus Reward in Modern Transfers

The disagreement between Dugarry and Redknapp reflects a broader tension within modern football: balancing financial caution with competitive ambition.

On one side, critics argue that paying £60 million for an unproven defender exposes Liverpool to unnecessary risk. A slow adaptation period, injury issues, or tactical incompatibility could quickly turn the transfer into a cautionary tale.

On the other, supporters of the deal point to the escalating market, where elite defensive prospects regularly command similar fees. Waiting for certainty, they argue, often means missing out entirely.

Redknapp’s view encapsulates this perspective. “He just needs to play football right now,” he said. “The young defenders, they come in, they make mistakes. So I think it’s a good signing, but it’s not for now. It might be for a year’s time.”

Ultimately, Jacquet’s success will be judged not by initial headlines, but by his development over the coming seasons. If Liverpool’s assessment proves accurate, the fee may soon look modest. If not, Dugarry’s warning will continue to resonate.

For now, the transfer stands as a defining example of Liverpool’s willingness to invest boldly in the next phase of their rebuild.

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