There is certainly an excitement within the Chelsea fanbase regarding Josh Acheampong.
Last season, Josh Acheampong made the permanent step up from the Blues academy to Enzo Maresca’s first team. The 19-year-old defender didn’t look out of place when he played, too.
Even though he has had to be patient for minutes, the English teenager usually fills in without fuss when called upon.
Acheampong excelled against Liverpool before the international break, slotting in at centre-half for Chelsea during the 2-1 victory in the Premier League. It was just his fourth appearance of the season across all competitions, though.
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Josh Acheampong compared to Rio Ferdinand
According to Jason Cundy, Chelsea talent Acheampong looks the real deal and should be playing more regularly moving forward.
He also made a remarkable comparison between him and a younger version of retired England legend Rio Ferdinand, who’s considered by many one of the best centre-backs of his generation.
When discussing Acheampong on talkSPORT, Cundy said: “We’ve all seen Josh play right-back in the Conference League. I’ve seen him play centre midfield. I’ve seen him at centre-half. He has got many strings to his bow.
“The thing that really impressed me when he first really came to my attention in the first team was in the Conference League. We played away; I can’t remember who at, but he used to stride and gallop. It wasn’t a sprint because he’s got such long legs he would carry the ball. It reminded me, and this is high praise, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but a young Rio Ferdinand when I used to see him at West Ham when he first got in the first team. He would carry the ball. It would open up, and he would just travel, head up, and then pick the right pass.
“He has got so much ability, and I’m a little disappointed, if I’m honest, that I haven’t seen more of him… I think we are now looking at a player that, [with] so many games coming up, is going to earn the trust of the manager. It takes time…. I want to see more and more of him.”
Acheampong, who’s avoided injury despite a concern against Liverpool, has plenty of expectation on his young shoulders. However, we think he’s got the composure and natural ability to cope.
The versatile defender, who can play right-back or centre-half, will know he’s got stiff competition within the squad to nail down a permanent starting position.
With Levi Colwill sidelined because of an ACL injury, it does feel like the two central defensive positions are still up for grabs this campaign.
Enzo Maresca was right about Josh Acheampong, now he needs to release the handbrake
Back in December 2024, Chelsea boss Maresca signalled his desire for Acheampong to stay with the senior group rather than go out on loan, as quoted by journalist Fabrizio Romano on X.
It is quite evident to us that the teenager can contribute to the first team, even more so this season.
Of course, Acheampong is not the finished article and will make mistakes along the way. But we would love to see the head coach take the shackles off and play him a bit more regularly.
John Obi Mikel is excited about Acheampong’s obvious potential. How long will it be until he’s a permanent feature in the XI, though?
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