Photo by Andri Munazir/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Andri Munazir/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Josh Acheampong completed the entire 90 minutes as Chelsea stepped up their pre-season form with a stunning 3-0 win over Milan in Jakarta, and it will have Xabi Alonso feeling smug.
A brilliant win saw Alonso switch to a 3-4-3 formation, and it paid off. Joao Pedro scored twice before Moises Caicedo scored a stunning outside-of-the-boot volley direct from a Romeo Lavia corner.
After defeats to Tottenham and Juventus, the win was exactly what Alonso needed to remind Chelsea fans that he is going to turn things around. Of course, it is only pre-season, but the win will have felt good.
Not least, because Alonso’s Liverpool beat Milan back in 2005 in Istanbul. But so many things Alonso has put in place clicked against Milan, such as Austin MacPhee’s arrival as set-piece coach and the system.
Josh Acheampong proves Alonso right to make him ‘untouchable’
Earlier this summer, it was reported that Chelsea have seven ‘untouchables’ aside from new signings. The usual candidates were included, such as Reece James, Levi Colwill, Caicedo and playmaker Cole Palmer.
Chelsea FC v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Joao Pedro was made ‘untouchable’ after a brief back-and-forth with Barcelona. Estevao remains one of the world’s best teenage talents, but Acheampong was the surprise seventh name on the list of players.
Acheampong has struggled for game time over the last year. It has to be said that, when played, it’s not as if his performances have been perfect. His mistake against Leeds last season saw Chelsea draw 2-2.
Even against Western Sydney in pre-season, he was poor. But on the right of a back three on Saturday, Acheampong was impeccable. His tackle to stop Rafael Leao was one of the highlights of the 3-0 win.
In that moment, stopping one of the world’s quickest and most powerful wingers, Acheampong proved Alonso right – that he should be an untouchable, and it will have Alonso feeling smug about his decision.
It was a tackle that immediately earned praise from Robert Sanchez and Wesley Fofana on the pitch. It showed Acheampong’s potential, but proved Alonso is right to remain stubborn and keep Acheampong.
Interest in Josh Acheampong is growing amid Chelsea game time
The issue for Acheampong is that he is not going to start, and without Europe, the amount of game time falls dramatically. Reece James and Maxence Lacroix will return from World Cup duty in the next week.
Whether the system is three at the back or four, Acheampong does not start either at right-back, right centre-back, or as one of two centre-backs. James will be Chelsea’s starting option in two of those roles.
If Alonso uses a back four, Lacroix and Colwill will start with James at right-back. In a three, James starts on the right of the three with Lacroix and Colwill the other defenders. He is not going to start matches.
Despite being an ‘untouchable’, Acheampong will struggle to play even if his performance against Milan was excellent. Arsenal and Liverpool are the latest clubs to be linked with the Chelsea academy product.
There is no doubt that Chelsea will have a fight on their hands to keep him this month. But Alonso wants him to stay, and now the Milan performance will provide proof for Alonso as to why he should remain.