John Terry has one burning question for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca regarding team selection against Ajax this week.
On Wednesday night, the Blues host Ajax at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.
Enzo Maresca has seen his side deliver a mixed bag in Europe so far this season. After losing to Bayern Munich in their opening league phase fixture, they responded by defeating Benfica last time out.
Opta’s Supercomputer tips Chelsea to beat Ajax, which would put them in a healthy position. So far this campaign in the Champions League, the Dutch giants lost to both Inter Milan and Marseille without scoring.
John Terry waves to the fans at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea Legends against Liverpool Legends.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
John Terry intrigued to see if Josh Acheampong plays vs Ajax
Ahead of Chelsea’s European showdown with Ajax, Blues legend John Terry has posed the question, ‘Will Josh Acheampong start in midweek?’
The young centre-back has started the previous two games, wins over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, so he’s in great form right now. However, Maresca does have several talented central defenders in his squad eager to play.
Terry said via TikTok: “We’re scoring goals, keeping clean sheets. So it’d be interesting to see what the manager does with Josh. Will he keep Josh in the side? Will he bring Tosin back in for a little bit more experience? Will he rotate the group? Joao Pedro’s out through suspension. I know we’ve still got a couple of injuries as well. But I have to say the manager is getting it spot on at the moment.”
In the heart of defence, Acheampong is competing with the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo to start. Unfortunately, Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile are both on the sidelines with their respective injuries.
Acheampong is improving every match as he starts to play more minutes, but it’s unrealistic for him to start every single time.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the 19-year-old talent is rested before returning against Sunderland this Saturday in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca and Josh Acheampong in conversation during the Club World Cup.
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea’s academy continues to shine
The Chelsea academy should be super proud when they look at the number of graduates in the first-team squad right now.
Acheampong developed at Cobham in the academy as a youngster. The same goes for Colwill, Chalobah, Tyrique George and club captain Reece James as well.
Even with the amount of investment that has gone into assembling the current squad, it is fantastic to see homegrown talents still getting an opportunity. We wouldn’t be surprised if 17-year-old midfielder Reggie Walsh eventually becomes the latest Chelsea prospect to follow the same path.