Robin Bairner
Josh Acheampong, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea
© IMAGO
Enzo Maresca has announced that Chelsea starlet Josh Acheampong is in line for his first start for the Blues when they face Astana in the Conference League on Thursday.
While Chelsea have been associated with big-money buys under BlueCo, the Stamford Bridge club have a long history of bringing talent through their academy system and Acheampong is set to benefit from their heavy fixture list in Kazakhstan.
Maresca has said that the 18-year-old, who typically plays as a right-back but can also play in the middle of defence or even the right of midfield, is in line to feature against Astana.
“He's in the squad, yeah. And probably he's going to play from the start,” Enzo Maresca said of the much-hyped youngster.
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Josh Acheampong, Chelsea
© IMAGO - Josh Acheampong, Chelsea
Wounds heal with contract rebel Acheampong
There had been serious doubt placed over the future of the teenager at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
He was locked in a contract dispute with Chelsea, who indicated in October that he would no longer be used if he failed to sign an extension to his current deal, which ends in June 2025. Acheampong was not allowed to play or even train with the club in what was a controversial decision.
He returned to training in November amid reports that Real Madrid and PSG were taking a serious interest in a player who has featured on a couple of occasions for the first team and has been touted as a potential long-term successor to Reece James.
Maresca has confirmed that progress is being made with regards contract talks with Acheampong, whose future once again seems to lie with Chelsea.
“With Josh it's quite clear. We all love Josh. The club loves Josh. I love Josh. And we are trying to find an agreement with the players. We are close. We are almost there. But we'll see,” Maresca said.
Maresca had previously hinted that he would like to have used Acheampong in the Conference League during his period of exile from Chelsea, but it now seems the manager will get his wish.