‘Unbelievable’ Acheampong stars in Chelsea loss to Atalanta | OneFootball

Josh Acheampong was one of the standout performers for Chelsea in their 2-1 Champions League defeat at Atalanta last night.

The young Chelsea starlet lined up at right-back and produced a solid showing on both sides of the ball.

Acheampong created a late chance for Joao Pedro to equalise, but he fired straight at the goalkeeper.

The 19-year-old prevented Ademola Lookman from scoring with an ‘unbelievable’ block (football.london).

Maresca has come under fire for not using the England youth international more, and rightly so.

He played remarkably well at the start of the season, but he was immediately sidelined when more senior players returned.

However, it should be clear to Maresca and his coaching staff that Acheampong deserves more game time.

Acheampong should be ahead of at least two Chelsea defenders

Acheampong deserves game time ahead of Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile.

He executes Maresca’s defensive man-for-man press that drags defenders out wide better than the duo.

Adarabioyo has also been a bundle of nerves recently. He gave away the needless foul that led to Atalanta’s winning goal.

His defensive judgement has been found wanting one too many times this season.

Badiashile’s fitness and lack of composure are also massive issues at the back for Chelsea. Ideally, Acheampong should push him out of the first-team picture soon.

Acheampong belongs at the top level. This performance, his first start in the Champions League, only served to rubber-stamp that notion.