Enzo Maresca famously declared he was “in love” with Josh Acheampong after his performance in their 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw in April 2025. After completing 90 minutes in the Polish capital, Acheampong did not make a single appearance in the Premier League for the rest of the season.
The following campaign, after Chelsea won the Club World Cup in the United States, Maresca trusted Acheampong for the season opener against Crystal Palace. The Cobham graduate shone for the Blues in the goalless draw with the Eagles but dropped to the bench for the trip to West Ham United the following week.
Given his performance on matchday one, Acheampong did not feature again for the west Londoners until matchday five, when he made a cameo appearance in a home defeat to Brighton. After that, Maresca used Acheampong more regularly over the next month, until he once again fell out of favor under the former Chelsea boss.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and more via our dedicated Facebook page
Acheampong was more of a fixture when Liam Rosenior took over, but even then Chelsea supporters were desperate to see more of the academy star, especially as those around him weren’t exactly setting the world on fire with their performances.
All of this led up to this summer. At the age of 20, Acheampong is at a crucial time in his career. Not to fix or break by any means; the versatile defender has time on his side, but developmentally, these next few years are crucial.
There were no suitors for him in the summer either. A number of Premier League clubs and several from abroad, notably Bayern Munich, have been interested in Acheampong’s situation at Stamford Bridge. Perhaps they felt they could guarantee the defender more than Chelsea at the time.
There have been several approaches from potential suitors, but Chelsea have been adamant in their response: Acheampong is not going anywhere and is untouchable this summer. At the time, Stamford Bridge insiders promised that Acheampong would be a key part of the first team squad for the upcoming season, but similar has been said in the past and not followed through on.
But this time it feels different. Acheampong has been a key cog in Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea system – especially since the international break.
Acheampong has played every possible minute in Chelsea’s five matches since returning from England Under-21s last month. If Acheampong completes his seventh full 90 of the Premier League season against Sunderland next weekend, he will stunningly surpass his minutes total last term.
Acheampong’s role under Alonso suits him perfectly. While Chelsea set up a three defense system where he is a right-sided centre-back, he switches to full-back when the opposition have the ball.
There have been question marks over the Cobham graduate’s defensive abilities during his time in the Blues’ first team, but he has clearly improved in that regard this season. There is no question mark in possession though.
Acheampong is a Rolls-Royce with the ball at his feet. His powerful runs from defense to midfield, sometimes attacking, have become his trademark. With Chelsea struggling at times with their defensive set-up, Acheampong doing so is a welcome weapon in Alonso’s armoury.
As mentioned above, Chelsea view Acheampong as untouchable and an important part of their long-term vision. That means his current deal at Stamford Bridge will expire in less than three years, with contract negotiations still to come.
Chelsea have already signed new and improved contracts with other ‘untouchables’ Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo, Reece James and Cole Palmer. Acheampong is also on track to win overtime.