Chelsea are confident of agreeing to a new deal with highly-rated academy graduate Josh Acheampong despite a contract stir in recent months.
Back in November, Graeme Bailey revealed toChelsea Chronicle that Josh Acheampong and his camp are re-engaging in talks over a new deal, and Chelsea are confident of keeping the highly-rated academy graduate. A host of clubs are monitoring the situation of the teenager, although the right-back loves his boyhood club and may lean towards staying put.
Now Enzo Maresca has confirmed to the club’s official media that a deal is close between the club and the player.
He said: “He’s in the squad and is probably going to play from the start. With Josh, it’s quite clear, we all love Josh, the club love Josh and I love Josh. We are trying to find an agreement with the player. It’s close, we are almost there.”
Chelsea are one of those teams that produce a lot of academy talents but are not the ones who necessarily hold on to their prospects for long. There are so many examples to cover in cases where the Blues have let go of a top talent only to see him develop elsewhere into a top star.
While many notable names are coming through their coveted Cobham Academy, most of them do not necessarily end up making a name in a Chelsea shirt. Marc Guehi is a prime example of that, while others have gone on to play elsewhere at a very young age.
That might be the case with teenage right-back talent Josh Acheampong, withChelsea already frustrated at the prospect of losing him. The fact that the club are signing a string of young talents from elsewhere has caused concerns for the prized academy prospect, who has fears his path to the first team will be blocked.
Chelsea have opened dialogue with the player and his camp with a clear plan to showcase how they can help him towards the first team.There’s massive interest from some of the top English rivals, although there’s the notion that Acheampong loves the Blues and would lean towards staying here.
Chelsea confident of agreeing Josh Acheampong deal
Chelsea are aware of the big interest from elsewhere in Acheampong, including clubs from overseas, asReal Madrid and PSG are among those. The prospect of losing him to one of the domestic rivals will be a bitter blow for the club, who have high hopes for the player.
For now, Chelsea are re-engaging in talks with his camp and are confident that Acheampong will sign a new deal. His current agreement lasts until 2026, as there might be the case of accelerating talks to tie him down for the long-term future.