“He just has to” – Enzo Maresca sends message to Josh Acheamong after Nottingham Forest win | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has praised Josh Acheampong after his performance against Nottingham Forest as he urged the youngster to continue to work hard.

Despite a disappointing first half the Blues recorded a 3-0 win to move up to sixth in the Premier League, thanks to their fourth victory of the season.

Acheampong scored his first Chelsea goal, whilst Pedro Net doubled the lead with a free-kick, and Reece James rounded off the scoring with a goal on his 200th appearance for the club.

Enzo Maresca praises Josh Acheampong

Achemapong recovered from the issue that forced him off against Liverpool, and was named alongside Trevoh Chalobah in the heart of the Chelsea defence.

The Blues were shaky in the first half with Chalobah finding things difficult, but Acheampong was able to deal with the threat of Taiwo Awoniyi.

Acheampong put in an impressive performance against Forest. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Acheampong was in the right place as he met Neto’s pinpoint cross to open the scoring, and he was rightly praised for his performance.

John Terry sent Acheampong a message of congratulations, whilst his team-mates were also clearly delighted for him.

This was Acheampong’s third start of the season, and Maresca stressed after the game the youngster has got to keep working hard.

“He’s a big name,” he said as quoted on X.com.

“He scored, but also he played very good. With personality. Since last season we have trusted Josh. He just has to work hard and then the future will be on his side.”

What is Chelsea’s first choice defensive pairing?

Now Maresca has a number of centre backs available to him again, it will be interesting to see what his preferred partnership is.

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Wesley Fofana was left out of the match day squad, whilst Tosin was on the bench, and maybe Maresca sees Acheampong and Chalobah as his pairing.

Acheampong certainly needs someone more experienced alongside him, but Fofana at his best is arguably Chelsea’s best centre back, so Maresca has a difficult call to make.