Josh Acheampong has emerged as a breakthrough star for Chelsea.placeholder image
Josh Acheampong has emerged as a breakthrough star for Chelsea. | AFP via Getty Images
Josh Acheampong earned plaudits for his performance against Liverpool and the Chelsea defender continues to turn heads.
Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong is enjoying a head-turning start to the season at just 19 years old and his mature performances have continued even over the international break.
The centre-back has been away with the England under-21 side and started the 4-0 win over Moldova on Friday evening. Acheampong was substituted after 78 minutes but was one of the standout players during his time on the pitch.
Chelsea star earns Lineker and Shearer praise
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker said: “I’ll tell you who I like, Acheampong. It was a shame he went off injured in the end, but I mean, very assured, first time I’ve watched him in a big game and I thought, we like that.”
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer added: “Yeah, when you consider the injuries, particularly defensively that Chelsea had, for him to come in and step up like he did. I was impressed with him. He had a good game.”
Earning such praise so young could go to the rising star’s head, but it was another assured performance with the England under-21 side. Acheampong even managed a staggering 100% pass accuracy in the game, making all 66 of his passes from defence.
Josh Acheampong impresses on international duty
Reacting to the statistic on social media, Acheampong was labelled an ‘incredible talent’ and ‘unreal’ for his latest performance. The player’s physicality and ability with the ball had earned him comparisons with Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand in recent weeks.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jason Cundy said: “We’ve all seen Josh play right-back in the Conference League. I’ve seen him play centre midfield. I’ve seen him at centre-half. He has got many strings to his bow.
“The thing that really impressed me when he first really came to my attention in the first team was in the Conference League. We played away; I can’t remember who at, but he used to stride and gallop. It wasn’t a sprint because he’s got such long legs he would carry the ball. It reminded me, and this is high praise, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but a young Rio Ferdinand when I used to see him at West Ham when he first got in the first team. He would carry the ball. It would open up, and he would just travel, head up, and then pick the right pass.
“He has got so much ability, and I’m a little disappointed, if I’m honest, that I haven’t seen more of him… I think we are now looking at a player that, [with] so many games coming up, is going to earn the trust of the manager. It takes time…. I want to see more and more of him.”
Acheampong was taken off early against Liverpool with fears of injury, although Willy Caballero claimed after the match that his withdrawal was just a precaution. The player’s involvement for the England under-21s comes as a boost for Chelsea, who are struggling with defensive injuries, ahead of this weekend’s trip to Nottingham Forest.
In other news, 'Showed dynamism' - Chelsea and Tottenham stars rated after narrow international win.
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