Chelsea’s promising young defender, Josh Acheampong, has shared his mixed emotions following his Premier League debut in the Blues’ 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The 19-year-old Ghanaian talent, making his first league start under manager Enzo Maresca, delivered a composed performance in a tightly contested match. Chelsea took the lead through Cole Palmer’s first-half goal, but a late equalizer from Jean-Philippe Mateta denied them all three points.

Reflecting on the match, Acheampong expressed both pride and disappointment. “It was a really enjoyable game and my first Premier League start,” he told the club website. “I’ve worked a lot for it, and overall it was really enjoyable, but it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t come away with the three points.”

Despite the intense atmosphere at Selhurst Park, Acheampong displayed confidence and maturity well beyond his years. His passing accuracy and time on the ball stood out, with the youngster completing more passes than any other player on the pitch.

“That’s one of the things I like to do when I play,” Acheampong explained. “I like to be on the ball, and as I got more into the game, my confidence grew. I don’t really think about my opponent or the crowd; I just focus on my own game.”

Acheampong’s impressive debut has fueled speculation about his inclusion in the starting lineup when Chelsea faces A.F.C. Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.