Enzo Maresca opted to start Josh Acheampong in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
It was a decision that paid dividends, as Acheampong went on to score a goal and help Chelsea keep a clean sheet.
Despite being only 19 years of age, the young defender is proving to be really reliable for Maresca, more reliable than some of his teammates.
Benoit Badiashile is once again injured, though that cannot be helped. Whatever the case, Maresca now has a big call to make with Acheampong.
Enzo Maresca celebrates with Josh Acheampong in the tunnel after Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Josh Acheampong should be Chelsea’s first-choice centre-back right now
While Badiashile and Levi Colwill are unavailable for selection, Maresca still has Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato for the centre-half positions.
After impressive displays away at Forest and at home against Liverpool, Maresca now has to decide whether to continue with Acheampong and ultimately make him the team’s first-choice centre-back or to put the England Under-21 international back on the bench.
Considering the way that Acheampong has been playing, especially compared to the likes of Chalobah and Adarabioyo, it should be the former while Colwill remains on the sidelines.
Most Chelsea fans would argue that Fofana, who cost the club £70m, should be the No.1 central defender in Colwill’s absence.
However, like Badiashile, he continues to pick up injuries and has to be managed carefully. Simply put, he is not someone whom Maresca can lean on every week.
In contrast, Acheampong is showing that he has the potential to be a reliable centre-back. Again, he was terrific against both Forest and Liverpool.
According to Sofascore, the Chelsea academy product made seven defensive actions at the City Ground. Only two players made more.
Josh Acheampong’s stats vs Nottingham Forest Total
Minutes 81
Goals 1
Interceptions 4
Clearances 3
Recoveries 6
Ground duels (won) 7 (5)
Aerial duels (won) 2 (2)
Accurate passes 49/53 (92%)
Touches 70
Dribbles (successful) 3 (3)
While plenty of Chelsea supporters believe in Fofana’s ability, they absolutely love Acheampong, who has risen through the ranks at Cobham.
If he is made the team’s first-choice centre-half, they will have no qualms about it.
Enzo Maresca and Josh Acheampong in conversation during ES Tunis vs Chelsea at the Club World Cup.
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
What Enzo Maresca’s back four could look like when everyone is fit
When Colwill is fit again, he should walk straight back into the Chelsea team. Maresca has explained that the 22-year-old and Adarabioyo are the only two players in his squad who can play the central centre-back role, which requires the individual there to build up play.
Marc Cucurella is arguably the best left-back in the Premier League, so he is also a nailed-on starter. And when Reece James is fit, Chelsea fans would argue that he is the best right-back in England.
That leaves one left spot in central defence, and if Acheampong can maintain the form that he is in, maybe he can secure it in the near future.
It is thought that Borussia Dortmund wanted to sign Acheampong in the summer. Everyone associated at Chelsea will be glad that a deal was never sanctioned.