Chelsea youngster’s progress shows fans were right about him all along

Josh Acheampong is finally getting his chance, and he’s shining just like we always thought he would do.

You can go way back two and a half years, to May 2024, when Mauricio Pochettino first included him in a matchday squad, for the start of Josh Acheampong’s first team story at Chelsea.

Since then, the pattern has been the same under several managers. They praise him and say how highly they rate him. They give him the occasional sub or cup appearance. But when it comes down to it, in the big Premier League games, they stick with the highly paid, more experienced players bought for big fees.

It’s been immensely frustrating for fans, who see a Blues team who are dreadful at defending, but still don’t give the young defender a chance.

Acheampong goes from strength to strength

Now, finally, under Xabi Alonso, things have changed. He’s played Acheampong in back to back Premier League games, and the youngster has excelled. Against Everton yesterday has was superb, and the right centre back in a back three role suits his game perfectly.

Next week another big test comes against Tottenham Hotspur – and we can’t wait to see him thrown into a rivalry game like that. We’re sure he will shine again in that game too, as he’s passing every test that comes his way right now.

In other news…

Jorrel Hato was delighted with Chelsea’s clean sheet in yesterday’s game, and he revealed it was one of his team’s goals for the game.

Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez has had surgery on his jaw the club confirmed today.