Acheampong
Despite Chelsea barring young defender Josh Acheampong from playing for the club again until he signs a new contract, the player’s aspirations for a future at Stamford Bridge have already been made clear. Aged 18 and having penned a youth deal earlier this year, Acheampong has been made unavailable for either the senior or Under-21 side due to ongoing contract issues. Chelsea, on one occasion, was operating without 14 first-team players, and Mauricio Pochettino, who had included Acheampong in training throughout the season, provided him with a brief opportunity to impress at Stamford Bridge. However, the versatile defender is now not expected to play for Chelsea until these contract matters are resolved.
The club’s actions are in response to Acheampong’s decision to backtrack on signing a long-term deal after initial agreements had been reached. Though there is a limit to the contract length at his age, the deal signed was as long as possible. Enzo Maresca took the teenager to America in pre-season, where he played a minor role, and gave him 30 minutes from the bench in the Carabao Cup third-round tie against Barrow last month. He has only appeared in a matchday squad on one other occasion under the Italian manager and was omitted while Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana, nominal center-backs, deputized on the right last month. During Reece James’ absence earlier this season and Malo Gusto’s injury, a spot for Acheampong seemed to open up, but Maresca left him out, and he is not featuring for the development squad either as discussions continue. Nevertheless, he received the opportunity to join England’s Under-20s during the recent international break, playing twice at the junior level.
In an interview published last week, Acheampong expressed his clear desire to play for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Josh Acheampong said, “Yes, definitely. Because I’ve felt the atmosphere and the experience once, I say I kind of wish I’d just played longer. That’s the only thing, it was kind of all a blur and it went so quickly. I just wish it was longer. I say just keep working hard because you don’t want it to be a one-time thing, like that was my moment and I’d rather there be many more. It’s an achievement which I didn’t would happen so soon. I always hoped to make my debut but it came so quickly. Overall it was a really good experience. To be fair, I thought before I’d be a bit more scared but I wasn’t scared, I was just really excited. I wasn’t actually too nervous. I think when you’re more excited you’re kind of just more calm and it’s just like another game really. It’s really different to anything I’ve kind of experienced, because I’d say I’ve played in a fair few decent crowds but when everyone is supporting Chelsea, it’s like you just feel the atmosphere is really good. If you’re going to try and win a tackle or you do something good, it kind of just gives you confidence when the home team is behind you.”
Chelsea now has work to do if they are to make Acheampong’s dream a reality.
