Chelsea’s highly-regarded young defender, Josh Acheampong, is on the verge of signing a new contract with the club, putting to rest recent tensions surrounding his future. According to reports, Acheampong’s initial reluctance to extend his contract had led to his exclusion from first-team and developmental squad opportunities—a move intended to encourage the 18-year-old to commit to the club long-term.

Acheampong, who has attracted interest from Liverpool, was one of several Chelsea academy players given a first-team debut during the 2023/24 season under manager Mauricio Pochettino. The English-born player, of Ghanaian descent, stepped onto the Premier League stage in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, marking his debut with a 12-minute cameo in May. His role as a backup right-back behind Chelsea’s Reece James and Malo Gusto has hinted at a bright future, despite limited playtime under Enzo Maresca.

This season, Acheampong has only appeared once for Chelsea’s senior side, featuring in an EFL Cup match against Barrow in September. However, he has been actively contributing in the Premier League 2, where he’s made three appearances and provided an assist. Now, with a contract extension likely on the horizon, Acheampong’s journey at Chelsea looks set to continue, as the Blues work to secure one of their most promising defensive talents.