English-born defender Josh Acheampong, of Ghanaian descent, has been sidelined at Chelsea until he agrees to a long-term contract with the club.
Reports indicate that the versatile defender has been informed he will “not play for the first team unless he signs a new contract.” Acheampong, 18, was among several academy players who made their debuts towards the end of the 2023/24 season under Mauricio Pochettino, appearing for 12 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in May.
Seen as the club’s third-choice right-back, behind Reece James and Malo Gusto, Acheampong managed 27 minutes of action in the EFL Cup against Barrow under Enzo Maresca in September, which remains his only appearance this season.
While Acheampong and Chelsea had previously opened discussions about extending his contract, no agreement has yet been reached. The promising young defender is currently under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2026, having recently signed his first professional deal.
Chelsea remains confident in resolving the situation, despite interest from clubs including Liverpool.
