Chelsea’s young talent, Josh Acheampong, has reportedly found himself sidelined from both the first team and development squad as contract talks with the club stall. According to an exclusive report by The Athletic on October 22, 2024, the 18-year-old defender has been left in limbo until he agrees to sign a new deal.
Acheampong, who was previously considered Chelsea’s third-choice right-back behind captain Reece James and Malo Gusto, has not taken well to his current situation. Despite James and Gusto being out due to injury, the promising defender was not even included on the bench for recent matches against Bournemouth and West Ham.
The young star made his professional debut last season under former manager Mauricio Pochettino and even impressed during the club’s pre-season tour of the USA, where he was selected ahead of more experienced players like Trevoh Chalobah. However, under current boss Enzo Maresca, Acheampong has made just one appearance this season—a brief 27-minute stint in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup clash against Barrow on September 24.
Even his involvement with the Under-21s has come to a halt, despite starting four of their first five games this season. His last match for the youth team was on September 15, and he was notably absent from the squad for their Premier League Cup tie against Bournemouth.
While some of Europe’s top clubs have shown interest in the versatile defender, who can play both right-back and center-back, Chelsea seems unwilling to part ways with the England youth international, despite the ongoing contract deadlock.
