Keith Wyness: Liverpool have just agreed ‘one hell of a signing’
Chelsea’s large squad may have played a part in Jeremy Jacquet choosing to sign for Liverpool.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after Jacquet signed for Liverpool for £60million over interest from Chelsea.
Chelsea had been pursuing a deal for Jacquet, but the 20-year-old has instead chosen to join their Premier League rivals from the beginning of next season.
Jacquet will remain at Rennes for the remainder of this season before making the switch to Anfield.
‘Crucial factor’ revealed in Jeremy Jacquet transfer decision
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Jacquet would not have been guaranteed playing time at Chelsea.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the defender could become “another Virgil van Dijk” in the future.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think that Chelsea were prepared to match, I think, the fee that was looked at. I think Jacquet himself and his advisors would have looked at Chelsea and said, look, you know it’s busy.
“There are a lot of players there right now. It’s very busy at Chelsea. Are we going to get the playing time? Whereas I think in Liverpool they could see they’re going to get it. I think the crucial factor as well was that he’s allowed to stay at Rennes for the rest of the season. He is still young.
“There’s no doubt the reports are that he is one hell of an athlete, and he’s got the talent and he can become another Virgil van Dijk at some stage. There’s no doubt about it. He’s superb in the air and tackling as well. So look, he’s a real talent.”
Chelsea stars want improved deals agreed
Chelsea were warned that the long contract lengths they hand out to stars could impact them in the transfer market.
The likes of Cole Palmer want to agree new deals at Chelsea, but the club want to wait until the end of the season before starting talks.
Palmer’s contract does not expire until 2033, and the club have no plans of letting him leave despite interest from Manchester United.