Chelsea have been told they should have signed the two Premier League defenders as they are interested in top goalkeeper Jeremy Jacquet.
The Blues are optimistic about strengthening their options backwards, but negotiations with Rennes over their first choice proved difficult.
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Jacquet has told Rennes he would like to move to Chelsea this winter, but the Ligue 1 club want a record sale to justify an exit.
Any deal for the 20-year-old, considered one of Europe’s most exciting young players, would have to exceed the £55m the club earned from Jeremy Doku’s move to Manchester City in 2023.
Ironically, Pep Guardiola’s side strengthened in central defense back in January with the signing of former Chelsea star Marc Guehi.
And The Pitch Prospect’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook is baffled as to why Stamford Bridge bosses haven’t looked at a potential homecoming.
Chelsea said to sign Konate from Liverpool
Chelsea, who made a request for Virgil van Dijk in March last year, before the Dutchman signed a new two-year contract with Liverpoolhave also been urged to turn their attention to fellow Reds defender Ibrahima Konate, who is set to become a free agent this summer as of this writing.
Crook told The Pitch Prospect Breakfast: “If they’re going to spend £60m on a defender, why don’t they get Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool?”
“Someone who has proven themselves in the Premier League and who they trust because that’s what they really need.”
“Why weren’t they in talks for one of their former players, Marc Guehi?”
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“Letter from above”
Fans were unanimous on The Pitch Prospect’s Inside Chelsea when it came to the club’s move for Jacquet. Matisse Armani said: “We know that this team does not need another young, inexperienced player to step in, manage and marshal an already shaky defensive line.”
“That’s a lot of pressure on him and his shoulders.”
“It’s not like we have a Thiago Silva or someone like that, you come with us,” he continued.
“You’re coming with me [Wesley] Fofana, inconsistent, injury prone. [Trevoh] Chalobah, Tosin [Adarabioyo], [Benoit] Badiashile. This is not an environment to bring him into.
Jason Cundy added: “The mandate has to come from the top.”
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“I mean, [Paul] Winstanley and [Laurence] Stewart [Chelsea’s joint Co-Sporting Directors]Some fans received strong criticism, especially on social media.
“My instinct tells me they are being told this is the profile of the player we want to sign. Get the best 19-20 year old players you can find in that position.”
Chelsea view Jacquet as the perfect mix of youth and talent, while also being able to fit straight into Liam Rosenior’s side.
“He’s completely within the realm of what Chelsea want,” European football expert Andy Brassell told The Pitch Prospect.com.
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“He is physically imposing, incredibly athletic and has also improved a lot on the ball in the last year and a half since he was loaned to Clermont.”
“What Rennes is asking for is a lot. They have already rejected a €50 million offer.”
“They’re apparently looking for around 80. So that’s around £67m to £68m. That’s where the big Premier League clubs are at the moment.”
“They prefer to offer and pay players at the highest level who have a really long future at the highest level and who they believe can make an impact.”
“So maybe there are players who haven’t made it yet, but you can see what players they will be, rather than the players they actually are at the moment.”
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As previously reported, Jacquet has informed Rennes that he wants to move to Chelsea, but such a move is unlikely to shake the French team.
“They are a wealthy club, they are well supported,” Brassell continued. “And I don’t think all the fuss the player is making is really going to make a big difference there.”
“But he also comes from a generation of very, very good Rennes players. We’re not just talking about an exceptional academy, but an exceptional generation. So there’s a real feeling that he will make it to the top.”
One of them was Jacquet’s former teammate Jeanuël Belocian, who only played 90 minutes in the Bundesliga once this season.
Brassell added to The Pitch Prospect: “Belocian went to Bayer Leverkusen, played very well at times and also had a few serious injuries.”
“Staying in Rennes and learning your craft is not the worst thing in the world.”