One of the Blues most promising talent Josh Acheampong is suffering from a hard situation right now. As the 18-year-old has been sidelined from both the first team and youth team squads. And he won’t be allowed to rejoin the Cobham academy until he agrees to sign a new deal with the Blues.
Josh has been one of the best players in the back for Chelsea’s development side in the recent years. He has even made his senior team debut with the Blues last season. And also came off the bench this season against Barrow in the EFL cup, last month.
Josh is highly rated as a young talent in the footballing world right now. Because, he is a very flexible defender, who can play both as a center back or a right back. The 18-year-old even made appearances with the Three Lion’s under 16 to 20 sides in the past few years. Josh also scored his debut international goal in the u-17 world cup last year.
But why Chelsea sidelined the Englishman was a mystery to many until the news revealed recently.
Why Chelsea sidelined Josh Acheampong
It is revealed that the Blues has decided to sideline Josh Acheampong until he renews his contract with them. The 18-year-old is been told directly that he won’t be able to play again until he signs the contract. Regardless of all his potential, the management have stood firm on their decision.
Josh’s contract at the Stamford Bridge ends at the summer 2026, which is almost 18 months away from now on. But Chelsea wants to control the young lad’s future. And this is not something that is happening for the first time at the West London club.
As we have previously seen the club being harsh with the young players during contractual matters. Academy graduates Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher also faced similar issues in their teenage years at the club.
However, Blues manager Enzo Maresca thinks it is shameful that a player of Josh’s quality isn’t being used. As he said,
“It’s a shame that Josh is missing out on valuable playing time.”
Maresca himself mentioned that he talked with Josh about his future couple of weeks ago. But since then they haven’t spoke yet, the Italian confirmed. It is also acknowledged by Maresca that, the Carabao cup and Conference League matches will be valuable for the 18-year-old, as the Italian can offer him opportunities in those games. The manager ended the topic by a provoking question, asking if the advisors of Josh are even thinking for his good.
Why Acheampong is hesitating to renew?
On the other hand, the fans are thinking why isn’t Josh Acheampong renewing his contract. It is speculated that Josh is hesitating to renew because of his unsure future at the Stamford Bridge. Right now Chelsea have 30 players in their first-team squad and most of them aren’t getting enough time at the pitch.
And as a young player who wants to settle his career, this is the last thing any footballer would want. The manager has already neglected Josh when he played center back Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana in the absence of Reece James at the right back. Despite of his talent he wasn’t even given a chance by them.
Yes people can defend that by saying it will be a gamble to play a inexperienced player at the back. But Axel and Fofana has been trash at that spot so far. However, another reason that can be thought of is, as per the reports of the Atheltic, top European giants like Real Madrid and rival side Liverpool have started to monitor the situation of Josh Acheampong.
Most of the footballers dream to play for these two clubs. And the academy of Liverpool is rated very highly by these youngsters, as talents like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and others have risen up from that academy.
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