Enzo Maresca will currently be mulling over his team selection for Chelsea’s first game of the 2025/26 season.
The Blues kickstart the new campaign this weekend by hosting London rivals Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener.
It was a successful debut year for Enzo Maresca as the Chelsea head coach, finishing fourth in the Premier League and winning two cup trophies. However, that has only ramped up the pressure going into the second season at Stamford Bridge, so it would be great to get off to a winning start on Sunday.
In terms of team news, the Blues manager will hold a press conference later in the week two days before. It is worth noting that Maresca recently confirmed Wesley Fofana may be available against Palace, even though he’s not played since March.
Pedro Neto, Nicolas Jackson, Josh Acheampong, Marc Cucurella, Jadon Sancho and Levi Colwill playing for Chelsea against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Josh Acheampong should miss out on Chelsea XI for Sunday
It will be fascinating to see what Chelsea’s backline looks like to face Palace, especially because Fofana may be available and Levi Colwill is sidelined with a long-term injury.
While we do highly rate Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong, 19, he should miss out on the Blues XI against Palace. Instead, we would go with Reece James and Marc Cucurella as the full-backs, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah at centre-back.
Acheampong has received loan interest from several Premier League clubs this summer, but he’s still with the Blues squad going into the start of the season. We’re confident that he has a role to play in the new campaign, too.
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The academy graduate is such a useful defender with the versatility to play centre-half or either full-back role.
If he’s patient, Acheampong should receive plenty of minutes because of all the competitions. Most importantly, the composed Englishman doesn’t look out of place whenever he’s selected.
Appearances Goals Assists Yellow cards Red cards
14 0 0 1 0
Josh Acheampong’s first-team record at Chelsea
For the first game of the league season, Tosin and Chalobah should be the centre-half pairing because they’ve both been outstanding in 2025 when they’ve played. Frank Leboeuf has backed Tosin and Chalobah to fill the Colwill void.
Josh Acheampong playing for Chelsea against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Josh Acheampong was Chelsea’s ‘best player’ against Crystal Palace last season
Back in January 2025, Chelsea earned a point on their trip to Selhurst Park after a 1-1 league draw against Palace.
Interestingly, Acheampong made his Premier League debut in the fixture, starting the match at centre-back. The teenage defender delivered an extremely commanding display as well.
After the league contest, Maresca called Acheampong Chelsea’s “best player” from the game. The Blues head coach said: “All the players, for me, were good today but if I had to decide for one, I think for sure, Josh was our best player because of his age.”
Minutes played Accurate passes Successful dribbles Interceptions Recoveries Ground duels won Dribbled past Match rating
90 69/81 (85%) 1/1 (100%) 1 6 1/1 (100%) 0 6.7
Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong vs Crystal Palace on 4 January via FOTMOB
We’d have no concern about seeing Acheampong named in any Chelsea line-up right now. For now, he’s got to bide his time and work his way up the pecking order whenever he gets the opportunity.