After all, ever since BlueCo took the reins at Stamford Bridge, they've been like kids in a sweetshop, buying up every player they can. Not because they need them, mind you, but because it stops their competitors from doing so.
Jacquet targeted before Rosenior appointment?
With Liam Rosenior apparently aligned with this potential purchase, according to Flashscore's transfer expert Dean Jones, it would suggest that, in fact, the player has been targeted long before the 41-year-old was thought of as a replacement for Enzo Maresca.
That in itself should sound alarm bells, but with Rosenior keen to prove that he has what it takes to manage the Club World Cup champions, who is signed and when would appear to be a side issue to the sideshow in West London.
It's worth asking the question as to why former Blues ace, Marc Guehi, wasn't considered as a potential purchase for the back line, given his availability, knowledge of the Premier League and high-level experience.
Whilst Jacquet's star certainly appears to be on the rise, there will be initial question marks over his suitability for a league he hasn't yet been tested in.
Just 53 total senior appearances
By way of example, to date, the defender has made just 51 senior league appearances, 17 of which were in Ligue 2 with Clermont. Two more appearances have come in domestic cups, whilst he has also added 29 more in the French national youth sides.
Rennes currently sit 6th in Ligue 1 with 25 goals conceded in their 18 matches, which is the worst defensive record in the top eight.
Last season, they finished 12th, letting in 50 goals, the third-worst return of all the top 12 teams, whilst in 2023/24, a final 10th place finish saw them concede 46 times.
Whilst it's accepted that Jacquet will have played less than his defensive contemporaries, and is arguably blameless to some extent, he has played a part in those seasons, and the pressure he would be under as a replacement for either the injured Levi Colwill or Tosin Adarabioyo will be like nothing he has experienced in his career to this point.
What next for Hato, Fofana et al?
Lest we forget that it wasn't long ago that Chelsea bought Jorrel Hato from Ajax, another 'emerging young talent,' as well as already having Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah already in their ranks.
With a market value of just €19.9m, it's interesting to note too why the Blues seem very keen to go as high as a reported €50m, with potential add-ons on top of that.
Of his 53 appearances in all competitions, Jacquet has started in 47 of them, accumulating a not unsatisfactory 4,245 minutes, steadily increasing from 248 minutes in 23/24, to 1,424 and counting in 2025/26.
Four yellow cards in 16 games of the current campaign is an acceptable return for a centre-back, though the more physical nature of the Premier League could see that card count rise reasonably dramatically if the 20-year-old isn't immediately up to speed with the demands of the English top-flight.
Brilliant on the ball
Of course, a pre-requisite for any modern defender is to be confident on the ball, bringing it out of defence with purpose and finding a teammate with a pass as often as possible, and this is where Jacquet scores highly.
This season alone, he has made 835 successful passes from 918 attempted, for a sensational pass completion rate of 91%.
Over the course of his fledgling career, 2,415 of his 2,719 passes have reached their target, with his stats going as high as 93.6% during his time with Clermont.
Whether short or long passes, in his own half or the opposition's, Jacquet's consistency in this regard is laudable. 286 successful passes into the opponent's territory from 341 attempted this season have seen a career high 95.2% return.
Just two errors leading to goals
Dominant aerially - 30 duels won from 42 attempted - and unwilling to shirk a tackle, given he's also won 70 one-to-ones on the floor from 107 attempted, is also a positive aspect to his play.
As is just two errors made leading to goals, the winning back of possession on 219 separate occasions and the rarity of fouls that he gives away.
Clearly, then, there are fairly obvious reasons why Chelsea have serious interest in the player.
However, that doesn't negate the fact that the Blues already have a plethora of talent available to them in the central defensive areas.
Even if one takes on board Maresca's modus operandi, which appeared to be centred on significant player rotation - he'd used seven unique back four line-ups in 25/26 alone before he left the club - surely it's of more benefit to have a settled defence?
The argument that Jacquet isn't really needed will therefore remain, and ultimately, the player has to quickly prove that any purchase was the right decision rather than just the owners acting on a whim again.
