Chelsea face Lincoln City on Tuesday night in the third round of the League Cup. However, Blues defender Josh Acheampong is a surprise absence from the matchday squad.
The Blues are strong favourites to progress in midweek when they face League One opposition Lincoln in the EFL Cup, but they must be switched on to avoid any kind of upset.
Enzo Maresca has named a pretty strong starting line-up for this evening’s Carabao Cup tie.
It is a huge positive for the Chelsea academy to see young prospects Ollie Harrison, Reggie Walsh and Shumaira Mheuka on the bench against Lincoln. In particular, English striker Mheuka has been in incredible form for the Blues Under-21s side this season, so it would be great to see him get some minutes.
- READ MORE: Lincoln plan to hurt Chelsea by using trick that has already cost Enzo Maresca’s side this season
Josh Acheampong missing for Chelsea through illness
Journalist Nizaar Kinsella has reported via X on Tuesday evening that Josh Acheampong, 19, is absent from Chelsea’s matchday squad against Lincoln because of illness.
Chelsea fans aren’t happy with Acheampong’s treatment because they believe he should have played a lot more football recently. So far this season, the teenage defender has only made one appearance across all competitions, which was his start against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the Premier League season in mid-August.
We would have expected to see the talented youngster involved against Lincoln, so the fact he’s missed out through illness is very frustrating.
Even though Benoit Badiashile has tipped Acheampong for a huge future, he needs the minutes and opportunities to develop in the first team.
Josh Acheampong must get more chances
When Acheampong is available again, he should come into the frame for minutes, both in the Premier League and Champions League.
At the moment, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo are showing frailties in the heart of defence. As for centre-half Wesley Fofana, he can’t be relied upon every single game because he needs to be managed carefully due to frequent injury problems.
It would be great to see Acheampong get some more regular starts because he’s never looked out of place in the first team since his senior promotion last season.
With Levi Colwill sidelined with an ACL injury, Acheampong could be a viable alternative.
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