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Enzo Maresca confirms Chelsea are 'close' to agreeing deal with Reece James successor

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Chelsea could be close to wrapping up a new deal to tie down one of their exciting young talents.

Chelsea are closing in on a new deal for one of their talented young players. The Blues have spent plenty to improve their squad over recent years, with mixed success in the transfer market.

What has become clear is the need for the Blues to produce and keep young talent to reduce the need to spend big. Chelsea have a rich history of bringing through talented players, especially in the last three decades or so, but many of those players have gone on to succeed elsewhere, with only a select few making it at the very top.

The next batch of young players will be hoping to join that select group of players, players like Reece James and Levi Colwill. Josh Acheampong is one of the hopefuls, still only 18 years of age and already knocking on the door.

But the youngster could do with a new contract, currently under terms until 2026. The young full-back could attract attention given his vulnerable contract situation, and Chelsea are determined to rectify the situation. That’s something Enzo Maresca has confirmed this week, while also confirming that Acheampong will be in contention to get game time against Astana in the Conference League on Thursday night.

“He’s in the squad and is probably going to play from the start,” Maresca said in his pre-match press conference. “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.”

The youngster has one league appearance for the Blues at senior level so far, and it seems he is knocking on the door for more. That will be comforting for Chelsea fans as they contemplate the need to replace Reece James in the medium to long term, given the Blues skipper’s troubled injury history.

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