Despite supporters’ dissatisfaction with the young defender’s lack of playing time, Chelsea allegedly plans to keep Josh Acheampong at the team. West Londoners once praised the young player as a potential star, but his playing time has not lived up to that expectation, casting doubt on his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old was a mainstay in matchday squads earlier in the campaign but has found first-team opportunities increasingly difficult to come by since the turn of the year, especially since Liam Rosenior replaced Enzo Maresca.
Despite not getting enough playing time for the defender’s growth, it has now been disclosed that the team would not sell him. The Express claims that despite Acheampong’s decline in status at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea has determined that he is still a non-transferable asset. Bayern Munich and Crystal Palace both showed a great deal of interest in the defender last summer and during the January transfer window, respectively.
Chelsea make decision on selling Josh Acheampong
Acheampong has only made eight appearances since the January transfer window closed, just two of which were starts. Although Acheampong seems to be the perfect Liam Rosenior player from the outside, Maresca was in charge of 10 of the defender’s 13 starts this season.
In other words, Acheampong isn’t getting the playing time he needs to advance. Even on Saturday, Acheampong was used from the substitutes’ bench against Port Vale, the bottom team in League One. The England Under-21 international had a brief appearance, but many fans were upset that he wasn’t in the starting lineup.
There are no plans to let go of Acheampong during the summer transfer window, despite his limited possibilities. Clubs are circling Acheampong due to his lack of match action, but the Blues are certain that he is not for sale and will continue to play a major role in the long-term plan.
It seems like ages have passed since Acheampong neutralised Alexander Isak in Chelsea’s victory over Liverpool in October, or two weeks later, when he scored his first goal for his childhood team in the victory against Nottingham Forest. For Acheampong, the upcoming season will be crucial.
