Alright, Reds, gather 'round. Sometimes football throws you a curveball, and sometimes it's Zinedine Zidane telling the world that a young defender is very, very good. That's exactly what happened when Zizou was asked about Jérémy Jacquet, and now half of Liverpool Twitter is losing its mind. Is this the next big thing? Let's unpack.
What did Zidane actually say about Jacquet?
Zidane was asked about Jérémy Jacquet and gave a typically understated but glowing review: “Very good. Very, very good. Brave. Not afraid to come way out. Very good in the duel. He was once again very good.” When a legend like Zidane singles you out with that many 'very goods,' you sit up and take notice. He's not just being polite; he's highlighting specific traits: bravery, aggressive defending, and duel-winning. That's high praise for a young centre-back.
But let's be real: Zidane could call a traffic cone 'very good' and we'd all nod along. Still, his eye for talent is decent—he did okay with that Real Madrid lot. So when he talks, people listen.
Konaté is injured – does that change everything?
Ibou Konaté is currently injured. That's a fact. And Liverpool's defence without him has looked… shall we say, vulnerable? The timing is almost too perfect. Zidane praises a young French centre-back, and suddenly we're all thinking: 'Is this the man to cover for Konaté?' The rumour mill goes into overdrive.
But here's the thing: Konaté isn't just some squad player. He's won five major titles and been a rock at the back. You don't just discard that because of a few weeks on the sidelines. The recency bias is strong in football fandom, and we're all guilty of it.
Is Jacquet really better than Konaté right now?
Let's pump the brakes. Konaté has won five titles; Jacquet has played seven games. Seven. That's not even a full month of football. Yes, he's shown promise, but comparing him to a proven winner is premature. Remember when everyone thought Rhian Brewster was the next big thing? Exactly.
Konaté has been there, done that, and got the medals. He's also still only 25. He's not over the hill. Writing him off because of an injury is classic knee-jerk reaction. Let's maybe compare them after a whole season instead of dismissing all the good Konaté has done.
The ‘better than Van Dijk at the same age’ argument is silly
One of the wilder takes I've seen is that Jacquet is 'way better than Van Dijk at the same age.' Well, yeah, VVD was still at Groningen and three years away from his international debut. But that's like saying I'm better at FIFA than Messi because I beat my little brother. Van Dijk's development curve was different; he exploded later. That doesn't mean Jacquet won't be world-class, but using VVD as a benchmark is a fool's errand.
Plenty of defenders peak early and then plateau. Jacquet might be ahead now, but the race isn't over. Let's not crown him the next VVD just yet.
Would I sign him? The verdict
If the price is right and the scouting team believes in him, why not? He's young, he's talented, and Zidane likes him. But he shouldn't be brought in as an immediate starter over Konaté. He'd be one for the future, maybe even a long-term partner for Konaté. The next few weeks will be the litmus test—can he handle the pressure of a big move? Can he perform consistently?
What about Quansah? Some fans think he's not worth rebuying. Quansah has had his moments, but he's still raw. If Jacquet is available and highly rated, he could be an upgrade. But again, let's not throw Quansah under the bus after a few shaky performances.
So, what would I tell a friend? I'd say: 'Zidane's praise is exciting, and Jacquet looks like a real talent. But don't expect him to walk into the team ahead of Konaté. If we sign him, it's a statement for the future. And for goodness' sake, stop comparing him to Van Dijk.'
At the end of the day, it's all speculation until the transfer window opens. But one thing's for sure: Liverpool's defensive rebuild is going to be fascinating to watch.
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Who is Jérémy Jacquet?
Jérémy Jacquet is a young French centre-back who has recently been praised by Zinedine Zidane for his defensive abilities.
What did Zidane say about Jacquet?
Zidane said: 'Very good. Very, very good. Brave. Not afraid to come way out. Very good in the duel. He was once again very good.'
Is Jacquet better than Konaté?
It's too early to tell. Konaté has won five major titles, while Jacquet has only played seven senior games. Comparisons are premature.
Should Liverpool sign Jacquet?
If the price is right and the scouting team rates him, he could be a good long-term investment, but he shouldn't be expected to displace Konaté immediately.
Why is Konaté's injury relevant?
Konaté's injury highlights Liverpool's need for defensive depth, making links to young defenders like Jacquet more plausible.