Why Chelsea manager needs huge praise for brave decision over wonderkid | OneFootball

The team news for Chelsea’s game against Bournemouth is out, and it has confirmed what we already knew to be true from seeing our lineup at the weekend against Morecambe in the FA Cup.

Josh Acheampong didn’t start that game – and that means he starts tonight against Bournemouth in a hugely important game for Chelsea as they look to get their season back on track.

The 18 year old continues his sensational rise to becoming a genuine first team player. After his contract dispute ended, he was immediately handed two starts in the Conference League in December, and then started against Crystal Palace earlier this month.

He impressed in that game – Maresca called him Chelsea’s best player in a game where we got a bad result. We back him to do the same tonight, in a game which could be very open and suit his speed.

Maresca deserves credit for integrating wonderkid

Josh Acheampong prepares for a full debut at Selhurst Park. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

Maresca’s use of young players has certainly frustrated us at times – in much the same way that almost every preceding recent manager has frustrated us to some degree. That extends even to his selection against Morecambe at the weekend, where he filled the starting lineup with fringe players (half of which are set to leave the club this month anyway) and the bench with first team players, when he had the perfect chance to hand out debuts all round.

But he deserves credit for recognising Acheampong’s talent and so quickly giving him more trust. The contract dispute was not Maresca’s doing, and he’s happily used the youngster ever since. The way he’s favoured him over summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo, for example, is impressive, and is testament to just how good Josh is now, let alone in years to come.