Chelsea stance on Josh Acheampong sale revealed as rivals plot bids | OneFootball

Academy graduate found playing time hard to come by last season

The 20-year-old came through the club’s famed Cobham academy and made his first-team debut in May 2024, going on to establish himself in the first team.

Acheampong found himself limited to just 17 Premier League appearances, eight of which were starts, and only completed 90 minutes on one occasion, a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace in the first match of the season.

Despite his fringe role last campaign, though, Chelsea have no plans to sell the talented defender. Standard Sport understands the club has rebuffed multiple approaches for Acheampong’s services from clubs in England and Europe.

Staying put: Josh Acheampong

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He is considered one of Chelsea’s ‘untouchables’, meaning they plan to sell him under no circumstances and see him as a significant part of their long-term future. The club are proud that he is a product of their academy, much like Reece James.

Acheampong will be a part of new manager Xabi Alonso’s squad when he takes charge of his first pre-season later this summer.

Acheampong signed a new contract in December 2024, which will keep him at the club until 2029.

Transfer interest surrounding Acheampong is not a new phenomenon. Crystal Palace attempted to sign him in January as a replacement for the Manchester City-bound Marc Guehi. He has also been linked with Liverpool and Newcastle.

Acheampong’s positional versatility, which saw him deployed this season as both a right-back and centre-back, makes him an attractive prospect for potential buyers.

He will face increased competition for playing time next season, too, with Levi Colwill back fit after recovering from an ACL rupture.

Acheampong will hope to impress his new manager Alonso this summer as the Blues face a lengthy pre-season tour of Asia and Oceania, facing matches against the likes of Tottenham, Juventus and AC Milan.