One Chelsea star really caught Alan Shearer’s eye with his performance last weekend.
Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League, with Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James all scoring for the Blues.
Following that victory at the City Ground, Acheampong was named in WhoScored’s Team of the Week.
Shearer also decided to include the young defender in his and had plenty of praise for him.
Alan Shearer taking photo with Chelsea fan
Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images for the Premier League
Alan Shearer thinks Josh Acheampong is getting better and better
Scoring his first goal for Chelsea and helping his side to keep a clean sheet, in the end, Shearer probably had no choice but to include Acheampong in his Premier League Team of the Week.
Explaining his decision to do so on the Premier League’s official website, the ex-Newcastle United striker said: “Scored the opener — his first goal for Chelsea — and played a big part in his team’s first away clean sheet of the season. He’s getting better with every game.”
Chelsea’s next match is against Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday night. After playing in the Forest game, Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah could get some rest, while Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo potentially come in.
However, following his performances against Forest and Liverpool, Acheampong should arguably be Chelsea’s first-choice centre-back while Levi Colwill remains sidelined. If Enzo Maresca plans to put out the strongest team that he has for the Blues’ upcoming fixture, it should include Acheampong.
Josh Acheampong in Chelsea training
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Tosin Adarabioyo explains where Josh Acheampong is ‘unmatched’
Acheampong’s teammate Adarabioyo has also been singing his praises. When driving with the ball, Adarabioyo does not think there is another defender who comes close to Acheampong.
As Adarabioyo discussed Acheampong in the build-up to Chelsea versus Ajax, the 28-year-old said: “I think we can all see Josh’s qualities. His qualities with the ball, especially when he’s driving with the ball, is unmatched, for me. He’s the best at it.”
As per FBref, Acheampong completes 1.59 take-ons per 90 minutes, putting him in the 99th percentile among central defenders for that area. It shows that he is good on the ball.
Maresca has to continue giving Acheampong minutes; otherwise, the Chelsea manager could lose him next year.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Borussia Dortmund were desperate to sign Acheampong during the summer. It would not be a shock if they came sniffing around again.