Guardiola is said to like a Chelsea talentplaceholder image
Guardiola is said to like a Chelsea talent | Getty Images
Chelsea are reportedly facing interest from a Premier League heavyweight in one of their biggest talents.
Manchester City are said to be eyeing a surprise move for a Chelsea talent. It has been a busy summer for Chelsea, although they have been much more careful with their spending this time around.
The Blues have brought in four big new signings, but they have also confirmed some big exits, including Joao Felix and Noni Madueke, who have brought in more than £90million between them.
More sales are likely, including Christopher Nkunku and potentially Nicolas Jackson, and exits will be key if the Blues are to continue spending money, with more signings still to make.
Clubs could look to take advantage of that by trying to tempt Chelsea into deals, and according to The Guardian via Chelsea News, Manchester City are said to be interested in a deal to sign Blues talent Josh Acheampong.
The versatile 19-year-old talent has impressed Enzo Maresca, able to play at both defence and midfield. “The one I fall in love with tonight is Josh Acheampong,” Maresca said last season. “Since we started, I’m in love with him, but tonight he showed he can be a very good player for this club. He can be good in different positions. The best thing for Josh is that he's open—he wants to learn. ‘Full-back? No problem, what do I have to do?”
Acheampong has previously been linked with other clubs, but Maresca has previously said: “The clubs that you mentioned, they like Josh, but we also like Josh. Any club likes good players. My plan with Josh is quite clear. I said many times that I really like Josh.
“I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club. It’s on him to have the right timing to do the things. We are full of young players here, full of talented players, even defenders. So I think the best plan for Josh is to be with us and I’m very happy if he’s going to be with us.”
That would suggest Chelsea will not be willing to sell Acheampong, and it would be a big misstep if they were to, and a clear contradiction of their current strategy. The Blues have been building a squad based on young talent, signing young players aplenty, and should they sell, they would be losing a huge homegrown talent before they have even peeled back the layers of his potential.
What Acheampong has said
Acheampong has only made five league appearances for the Blues so far, but he is already seen as a player who has a first-team future. With Borussia Dortmund having been linked in the past, the youngster said when quizzed on the links last season: “I think it’s important to get the trust from the manager. Every time I play, I want to do as well as I can.
“Enzo (Maresca) said he thinks I’m a good player. I love the club, so I always want to stay at Chelsea and just show what I can do. I don’t really think about my future. I just want to win the next game and do as well as we can. I don’t really look at it. I don’t really pay attention to any of that. I just focus on my football. Hopefully we win our next game and win the tournament.”
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