First call-up for Jacquet, Liverpool's revelation under Zidane in France squad

Zinédine Zidane has called up Jérémy Jacquet for his very first France squad list, rewarding an impressive start to the season by the 21-year-old defender in Liverpool colours. The former Rennes player is one of five new faces selected by the manager.

Arriving at Liverpool this summer following a winter transfer for over €60 million, Jacquet quickly established himself as an undisputed starter. Apart from the League Cup, where manager Andoni Iraola rotated his squad, the centre-back has started every match of the season, both in the Premier League and Champions League. His solidity in duels and comfort on the ball quickly convinced the Reds dressing room.

Virgil van Dijk, the world reference at the position for a decade, has taken the young Frenchman under his wing while tempering the surrounding enthusiasm. « He’s had an excellent start, but we’re only in September, » the Dutch captain confided. « I want him to keep working and learning. I’m sure he will. There’s a lot of praise, and rightly so, but I know how it works when you play a match without reaching the standards we’ve set ourselves. So let’s stay calm, and just try to remain important for ourselves. »

On Sunday, during Liverpool’s laboured victory at Bournemouth (0-1), Jacquet left with the man of the match award. A poll conducted among Reds supporters gave him 83.7% of the vote. Club observers are full of praise: « Jacquet has been tremendous — he wins his duels, uses the ball really well… He pops up in areas, wins the ball and lets you get going the right way. » Some even compare him favourably to Ibrahima Konaté, who left for Real Madrid this summer: « This is the version of Konaté we hoped we’d signed… This guy is incredible. »

Jacquet will indeed meet Konaté again in the national team in the coming weeks. With Maxence Lacroix, the two men could compete for a starting place alongside Dayot Upamecano, in the absence of William Saliba. Given his current performances, the Liverpool player clearly has every reason to stake his claim.