Josh Acheampong is a massive talent. It saw Enzo Maresca confess his love for the defender after a European game last season, and Liam Rosenior has described him as “amazing”.
Still only 19, Acheampong is a senior part of the Chelsea squad and offers cover in more than just one position. Many believe that Acheampong is the future of this Chelsea defence, but he lacks minutes.
After a few weeks of being Chelsea manager, Rosenior said Acheampong has “immense potential” and is planning to move him inside from right-back to his favoured position of central defence in time.
You can only pick ONE, Chelsea fans 👀
Champions League qualification or FA Cup trophy for Chelsea
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While Acheampong has only been praised since he broke into the Chelsea side, the defender’s game time this season is a different story. He’s managed just 1200 minutes this season; four starts under Rosenior.
Chelsea’s Acheampong stance suits the club, but not the player
With Acheampong lacking game time, there is a reality in which the Cobham academy graduate chooses to leave Chelsea in search of more regular minutes. There are plenty of clubs interested in signing him.
Now, it has been reported that Chelsea are unwilling to sell Acheampong. He has a contract at Chelsea until June 2029, meaning the Blues are under no pressure to cash in on the defender as things stand.
Josh Acheampong of Chelsea looks on
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It suits Chelsea not to sell him. But is it fair on Acheampong? Is it fair to force him to watch most of Chelsea’s games from the sidelines, when he is already a Premier League-proven player despite his age?
Acheampong will know that he could join any mid-table Premier League side and start. It’s not fair of Chelsea to simply keep him on the bench, because he remains an asset when he plays elsewhere.
Plenty of clubs want to give Josh Acheampong a shot
In January, Man City, Bayern Munich and Crystal Palace were all linked with the teenager. Already, ahead of the summer window, clubs are queuing up to test Chelsea’s resolve regarding Acheampong.
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Newcastle and Liverpool are among his Premier League suitors, while Barcelona are even said to have opened talks alongside Bayern Munich. These are all moves that would surely tempt the Chelsea gem.
But Chelsea’s message is clear: hands off. It might suit the Blues, and Rosenior will be desperate to keep him around. Speaking to his family is a nice touch. But it’s not fair to waste Acheampong’s potential.
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