There were some decent individual performances in Chelsea colours during the weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace, but the game ultimately ended in more disappointment with a score draw.
The Blues made an underwhelming start to 2025 by being held to a 1-1 draw away to Palace in the Premier League.
Cole Palmer scored again to put the visitors in front at Selhurst Park before Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised late on for Palace.
Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, is now facing his toughest spell yet since he took charge in the summer following a run of only two points collected in the last four league matches. There have been draws against Palace and Everton on either side of back-to-back losses versus Fulham and Ipswich Town.
Enzo Maresca names Chelsea’s best player vs Crystal Palace
Chelsea’s player ratings versus Palace recognised some decent individual contributions, including an 8/10 for Jadon Sancho after his brilliant assist. In a similar light, Chelsea supporters thought Sancho was the player of the match after the winger’s weekend performance.
However, Blues head coach Maresca singled out Josh Acheampong as his side’s best performer at Selhurst Park.
“All the players, for me, were good today but if I had to decide for one, I think for sure, Josh was our best player because of his age, it was his first game,” Maresca said via Football.London.
“Josh, for me, can be a top player for this club but he needs the right path, the right moment; for young players, you need to decide which moment.
“We decided today because we think he showed that he was ready. Today, I think he showed how good he is. Because of his age, he needs to slow down, work hard and take his next chance.”
Chelsea unlock another gem in Josh Acheampong
Based on Acheampong’s first ever Premier League start, he should receive plenty more top-flight minutes during the second half of the season.
The versatile defender, who can play as a right-back or centre-half, slotted into the starting XI against Palace as a central defender alongside Levi Colwill. He certainly didn’t look out of place, too.
| Minutes played | Touches | Accurate passes | Recoveries | Interceptions | Dribbled past | Successful dribbles | Match rating |
| 90 | 88 | 71/83 (86%) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1/1 (100%) | 6.7 |
Acheampong definitely passed the eye test on Saturday with a composed and assured performance in a Premier League match away from home.
Paul Merson applaued Chelsea’s Acheampong by claiming that he “didn’t put a foot wrong” in the Palace draw.
It looks like the 18-year-old academy graduate is the latest in a long line of talents to come out of Cobham. The fact that he signed a new long-term contract last month and committed his future to the club now looks like a masterstroke.
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