What are Chelsea thinking?! Acheampong decision threatens to RUIN Maresca's progress

Cameron Smith

22 Oct 2024 20:45 BST
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Josh Acheampong, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea have made the controversial decision to exile Josh Acheampong amid his ongoing contract dispute, yet this could backfire spectacularly on the west London giants.

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The talented 18-year-old is yet to sign a new deal with the Stamford Bridge outfit and the club have informed him that he will not play until he agrees fresh terms.

Acheampong hasn’t featured for Chelsea at any level since mid-September and things could get ugly if this situation develops any further.

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are all interested in signing the Cobham academy product, and Chelsea’s approach could see them lose one of their most promising young talents.

Acheampong reportedly wants guarantees over his pathway into the first-team at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea are seemingly yet to convince the Englishman that he will play a key role in the senior side over the next few years.

Reece James and Malo Gusto are both ahead of him in the pecking order, and with Chelsea’s incessant desire for new signings, Acheampong is right to be concerned about his potential game time.

However, by exiling Acheampong, Chelsea are playing an extremely dangerous game and the repercussions could be huge.

Of course, the club aren’t interested in developing a player who wants to leave, but they risk pushing the teenager towards the exit door.

Chelsea’s Acheampong risk

Some of Europe’s biggest clubs are watching closely as they eye a possible move for Acheampong and Chelsea could lose yet another talented academy kid as a result.

Valentino Livramento is a prime example of what can be achieved after leaving Chelsea’s academy, while Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dominic Solanke are among the Cobham products to have also departed over the past few years.

Chelsea’s sporting directors have insisted they plan on utilising the club’s academy to its full potential, but with Rio Ngumoha leaving to join Liverpool this summer and Acheampong possibly following suit, that logic has been called into question.

Enzo Maresca has brought a full-good factor back to Stamford Bridge, but that could dissipate quickly if Chelsea continue to treat their academy stars poorly.

Acheampong is one of England’s best young defenders, and Chelsea could come to regret their extreme approach if he leaves and develops into a star on the European stage.