Alan Shearer has selected Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong in his official Premier League Team of the Week.
The 19-year-old found the back of the net during the Blues’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last Saturday, and Shearer says Acheampong is improving rapidly:
“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.”
Acheampong has now started three league games this campaign, which is one more than he managed in the whole of last season.
Injuries have given the Chelsea youngster the chance to flourish
It is probably fair to say that if the likes of Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo had been fit over the past few weeks, then head coach Enzo Maresca would probably not have called upon Acheampong as often.
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Even so, the teenager has taken advantage of the opportunities he has been given, and it would be very harsh if Maresca opts to bench him for upcoming fixtures.
Chelsea face Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday evening before taking on Sunderland at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Who else made it into Shearer’s Team of the Week?
Acheampong is the only Chelsea player named in the eleven. He is joined in the back five by Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, his teammate Kyle Walker, Manchester United‘s Harry Maguire and Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne.
In midfield, Shearer has included Man United captain Bruno Fernandes and Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who scored in Unai Emery’s side’s comeback win against Tottenham.
Up front, there are four forwards. Brighton’s Danny Welbeck (who bagged a brace against Shearer’s former club Newcastle), Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi were selected.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here