We always get excited when a Chelsea academy player gets to make an appearance in an important game, but this one is more significant than just a cameo for a youngster in a dead rubber.
The story with Josh Acheampong is well known at this point. The young defender is considered one of the most promising talents in his age group in the academy – and in fact seems like one of the best prospects in a couple of years.
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Enzo Maresca applauds the home fans. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca shouts instructions on the touchline. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Chelsea fans wave flags at Stamford Bridge.
But a contract dispute with the club has seen him frozen out of senior and youth action until a new deal can be agreed. The timing has been awful, with both first team right backs missing time just as Acheampong was removed from the equation.
But it seems progress has been made – manager Enzo Maresca revealed in his press conference last night that the youngster was “close” to signing a new deal. Close enough to potentially start in the Conference League tomorrow night.
So for him, a start is more than just a start – it’s a future at Chelsea.
A blurry photo of Josh Acheampong in training.
A blurry photo of Josh Acheampong in training.
Acheampong set to return at perfect moment to make first team impact
“He is in the squad, and probably he is going to play from the start,” Maresca said.
“With Josh it’s quite clear. We all love Josh, the club love Josh, I love Josh. We are trying to find an agreement with the player, we are almost there. But we’ll see.”
Things must be very close to a resolution if they’re ready to fly him 8 hours to Kazakhstan to give him a start. This is fantastic news, and we hope everything can be signed and sealed soon.
If it is, and if Maresca loves Josh as much as he says, the 18 year old could be in line for plenty more starts in the near future, with Malo Gusto struggling for form and Reece James still facing some weeks out.