Enzo Maresca reflected on the recent progress of two Cobham graduates in the **Chelsea**backline.
Josh Acheampong started next to Trevoh Chalobah in the middle of the back four for the Blues against Nottingham Forest on the weekend. The guests were not at their best in the game, but they walked away with a 3-0 victory, and Acheampong got his first Premier League goal at a critical moment, finding the back of the net with a header at the start of the second half to break the deadlock.
The teenager’s ball carrying, agility, and defensive composure make him one of the most outstanding defenders in his age group in Europe, and he will look to the club captain as a point of reference.
Reece James had struggled with injuries for the best part of two years, but he has bounced back, finding his form and fitness more consistently in the last twelve months. He has embraced a greater role of responsibility, and Maresca is happy to see how he is leading by example for the camp.
“We are very happy with Josh, but not now. We are very happy with Josh since last season but like every player there is room to improve and especially when you are 18 19 there are many things that you can do better but Josh is a hard worker.
“He’s humble he wants to learn. For sure he's going to be a better player in the future.
“Josh has been always there. So it's not that we feel better because Josh is there and three months ago Josh was not there. Josh was there also three months ago and we were very happy with Josh.”
“Reece improved a lot. We have more players that they are doing well in that in that sense. So we are very happy with Reece as I said before.”