Chelsea’s young right-back talent, Josh Acheampong, is in a tricky situation, with contract talks causing him to be sidelined.
Despite making strides toward the first team, the 18-year-old has found himself on the fringes as he hesitates to commit to a new deal. If no agreement is reached, Chelsea could be left with no option but to sell him, especially as top clubs like Liverpool are reportedly interested in the young defender.
Acheampong has made a promising start at Chelsea, even earning brief appearances in the Premier League and League Cup. Yet, his progress has hit a pause due to ongoing contract negotiations. Acheampong is hesitant to sign a new deal, perhaps aware that established players like Reece James and Malo Gusto are already ahead of him for the right-back spot. As a result, Chelsea has reportedly sidelined him in both the first team and youth squads while the situation is resolved.
Football Insider reports that Chelsea may soon be forced to make a tough decision. Acheampong’s contract still has a couple of years left, expiring in 2026, but Chelsea is reportedly considering selling him if they can’t secure his commitment. The potential alternative to losing him for free down the line has put the club in a tough spot.
Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain are among the big clubs keeping an eye on Acheampong’s situation. His impressive play has caught the attention of multiple teams, all of whom could jump in if Chelsea makes him available. Liverpool, for instance, would be interested in adding depth at right-back, and Acheampong might see this as an exciting opportunity.
A move as soon as January is even a possibility, with Real Madrid rumored to be seriously contemplating making an offer. With right-back Dani Carvajal currently injured, Real could see Acheampong as a solid short-term reinforcement who could potentially grow into a long-term role, especially if they miss out on other targets like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
For Chelsea, the primary hope will likely be to secure Acheampong’s loyalty before any major offers come through. However, knowing that big clubs are circling could make that difficult, especially with Real Madrid reportedly ready to act fast in January.
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Meanwhile, Chelsea might see other changes soon. Enzo Fernandez could be on his way out amid strong interest from Real Madrid, who may either pay a substantial fee of £84 million or offer midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in exchange. Such a deal could be tempting for Chelsea, especially if they decide to make significant upgrades in other areas of the squad.
The Blues are also eyeing potential new additions. Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa is one of their targets, although they’ll face competition from Bayern Munich for his signature. Adding to their wishlist is Ruben Dias, as Manchester City may surprisingly decide to sell him, and Chelsea is reportedly ready to seize the opportunity.
Another possible target is Nottingham Forest’s center-back, Murillo. While Chelsea is keen on Murillo, reinforcing their central defense isn’t seen as a pressing need this January, so they may hold off until later on this front.
Acheampong’s journey at Chelsea has been an impressive one, especially within the academy, where he’s proven his readiness for the senior squad. His performances in Chelsea’s under-18 side have showcased his skill and potential to make an impact at the top level.
However, whether Acheampong will ever play senior football for Chelsea again is still up in the air. With contract talks ongoing, it’s unclear if he’ll commit his future to the Blues or consider an offer from one of his many suitors.
For Chelsea fans, seeing such promising young talent potentially moving on would be disappointing, but the club’s current defensive lineup means competition is fierce. Acheampong’s desire for playing time could push him toward other opportunities if a contract compromise can’t be found.
Meanwhile, the club will have a busy January if these rumors are any indication. Balancing potential incoming and outgoing transfers will be a challenge as Chelsea aims to keep its talent pipeline strong while also bringing in proven players.
As the January transfer window approaches, Chelsea’s moves, particularly regarding Acheampong and Fernandez, could shape their future direction. Both players are key assets, but their situations reflect different challenges for the club’s management.
Chelsea is a club that thrives on developing young talent, and the hope is that they can strike a balance that will benefit both the team and players like Acheampong. Whether he stays or goes, his future in top-flight football seems bright, and the coming weeks will likely bring a resolution one way or another.
