Frank Lampard & Coventry City Interested In Signing Young Chelsea Defender | OneFootball

Coventry City are monitoring Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong ahead of a potential summer move.

Earlier this summer, Chelsea were reported to have turned down multiple approaches for the highly-rated Acheampong.

Arsenal, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth are among the clubs reported to have shown interest in the young defender.

Acheampong is said to be in the group of “untouchable” players alongside established starters such as Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and Moises Caicedo.

Chelsea’s resolve, however, may soon be tested by a potential approach from a familiar face.

According to talkSPORT, Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard would like to sign the 20-year-old before the window closes.

It is not specified whether Coventry are considering signing Acheampong permanently or on loan, but Chelsea likely see the latter as the more attractive option if they are to sanction a departure.

The versatile defender made 30 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea last season, including 17 in the Premier League.

A big chunk of his minutes, however, were from the bench.

The arrival of Maxence Lacroix, who joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace on a deal worth £52m, and Levi Colwill’s injury return will affect Acheampong’s chances of playing.

Unlike Colwill and Reece James, Acheampong has never spent any season on loan since his first-team promotion in December 2024.

Acheampong still offers a lot to this team as a talented centre-back who can cover the right-back position, but it is safe to assume he remains behind Colwill, Lacroix, and Wesley Fofana in the pecking order.

Xabi Alonso already clarified that he wants “four to five” centre-backs in his squad for the new season, and Acheampong is certainly good enough to make the list.

On the other hand, a season-long loan under Lampard at Coventry is an enticing prospect that could spur his development.

Chelsea will eventually have to make a decision on Acheampong’s immediate future, who remains under contract until 2029, but offloading a few other centre-backs should remain a priority.

Despite Trevoh Chalobah’s recent transfer to Como, Chelsea still have too many centre-backs on their books.

Both Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile, who were left out of the pre-season tour in Australia and Asia, are yet to secure summer exits. Badiashile is on the verge of joining Napoli on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino are also seen as better candidates to depart on loan this summer.

If Acheampong were to spend this season on loan, Chelsea could alter their plans and keep either Sarr or Anselmino, but the pair have very limited top-flight experience.