Enzo Maresca has had so many quality first team players to deal with this season at Chelsea that it would have been easy to forget about the youngsters at his disposal.
While few have been close to touching the side in the Premier League, there have been opportunities handed out in the Conference League for players to make their mark.
The win against Astana last week saw as many as seven academy players handed their chance to feature, with a number of those starting for the first team for the first time.
One of those was Josh Acheampong, which was perhaps a surprise to some when taking into account reports from recent weeks.
Acheampong was frozen out of all Chelsea duties as of late after he had not come to an agreement with the club over a new contract.
Josh Acheampong of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Astana and Chelsea ...
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca has convinced Josh Acheampong he will be key for Chelsea
It began to spread that a number of top clubs were interested in signing Acheampong, with him showing a lot of promise already in his career.
However, it has emerged since that he is close to signing a new deal with the club, and manager Enzo Maresca may have been key in making this happen.
Felix Johnston has claimed that the boss has personally assured the defender that he sees him as perfect for his system, and he can be a key player for the future.
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He said: “Understand Enzo Maresca has been integral in progress with Josh Acheampong on contract talks. Maresca was brought in by the directors and he told Acheampong that he saw him as a player perfect for his system and even as a CB in the future.
“Acheampong always wanted to stay at Chelsea, with the issue always about wanting a pathway explained. Maresca provided that, as well as talks of a potential loan move with Sporting Directors, which was initially not desired by the player-side, but that view came around.
“A loan move is completely open at this stage, if it is the right move, including Strasbourg, but 1st team opportunities are also there.”
Understand Enzo Maresca has been integral in progress with Josh Acheampong on contract talks. Maresca was brought in by the directors and he told Acheampong that he saw him as a player perfect for his system and even as a CB in the future.
Acheampong always wanted to stay at… pic.twitter.com/wrWCSrMNZa
— Felix (@FelixJohnston_) December 15, 2024
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Acheampong expected to get Premier League minutes soon
The Blues are currently undergoing somewhat of a defensive selection crisis ahead of their next game against Everton.
Marc Cucurella is suspended, while Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Benoit Badiashile are set to miss the game due to injury.
Acheampong is reportedly set for Premier League minutes soon at Stamford Bridge, and that opportunity could now come around sooner than he would have expected due to the other first team issues.
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