Jérémy Jacquet: 'My career path is quite original - and I’m proud of it'

At just 20 years old, Jérémy Jacquet has already lived a career rich in twists and lessons. Once considered one of Rennes’ brightest prospects, the tall, composed centre-back has carved his place in Habib Beye’s defence after an atypical journey that took him via Clermont — and through more than a few setbacks along the way.

When Jacquet left Rennes in January 2024 for a loan spell at Clermont, the decision raised eyebrows. “It was either stay at Rennes with little playing time or go and discover something new,” he recalls in an interview with L'Équipe. “I chose minutes on the pitch — and it paid off.”

After impressing in Ligue 2, his performances convinced Rennes to recall him in February, a turning point that set him on course for his Ligue 1 breakthrough. “It was my moment,” he smiles. “My career start is quite original — and I’m proud of it.”

Character and conviction

Far from fearing the step down, Jacquet embraced the challenge. “When you’re young, the most important thing is to play. That came from me and my family. I didn’t hesitate.” That conviction runs deep. “It shows I’m confident in myself and ready to make sacrifices to reach my goals.”

Raised in a close-knit family in Melun, Jacquet credits his parents and older brother for instilling his values. “I inherited respect and humility from them,” he says. “With that, it’s impossible for me to act like someone who doesn’t want to work."

Before becoming one of Ligue 1’s emerging defenders, Jacquet was a midfielder — until Rennes scouts saw something different. “They told me, ‘Jérém, go play centre-back.’ I resisted at first, but they were right. They knew better.”

Now standing 1.90m tall, Jacquet combines physical presence with technical assurance. “I’m calm on the ball, maybe I can look a bit nonchalant — but I’m focused. What defines me is playing out well, breaking lines with the right pass.”

Overcoming obstacles

His early years at Rennes weren’t smooth. A rapid growth spurt brought a series of injuries — back, heel, knee — and eventually surgery. “I probably played ten matches in a year,” he admits. “But it made me stronger. When I finally put games together with the reserves, everything started to click.”

Now established under Habib Beye, Jacquet continues to learn. “The coach asks me to communicate more, to lead, to add a bit more aggression. I’m working on finding the right balance,” he says with a grin.

Inspiration and ambition

A product of the same 2005 generation as Désiré Doué, Mathys Tel and Jeanuël Belocian, Jacquet sees their progress abroad as motivation, not pressure. “It gives me belief. I’m proud to be part of that generation.”

His idols? “As a defender, Van Dijk and Konaté. But as a kid, it was Pogba — I wanted to play like him.”

With his maturity, calmness, and confidence, Jérémy Jacquet embodies the new face of Stade Rennais’ academy — one grounded in humility but driven by ambition. And on Sunday against Auxerre, he’ll look to continue proving that his ‘original’ path was exactly the right one.

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