Sporting directors risk wasting so much good work if this huge contract gamble fails | OneFootball

Chelsea’s last two results were a draw and a defeat, but the mood is still positive after a good start to the season. So it’s not great to get some rather scary news today, with the Athletic reporting that our brightest young academy talent Josh Acheampong has been given an ultimatum about his future. It’s quite the gamble.

They report that the defender, whose deal expires in 2026, has been told he won’t play for the club again – neither the first team nor the development squad – until a new contract is signed.

Acheampong has played just 27 minutes all season, as a sub in the Carabao Cup. That’s despite a clamour from fans to see more of him, plus a period where both Reece James and Malo Gusto were both out, creating an ideal moment for the 18 year old to step in.

After playing 5 times for the U21’s earlier in the season, Acheampong is now no longer being selected for them either. It’s a month since he had a game for Chelsea at any level. The fact he played twice for England during the recent international break shows he’s not injured either.

Reports are swirling that other clubs are pushing hard to sign him, and we’re getting more worried we could lose another brilliant young talent.

Josh Acheampong plays against Barrow. (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Acheampong future hangs in the balance – and sporting directors will take the blame if gamble fails

The fact he’s been effectively frozen out is scary, as is the very mention of the word ultimatum. But this piece still claims that Chelsea “remain optimistic that the situation can be resolved.”

Well, they would say that, wouldn’t they. For all the good progress on building this squad, losing another home grown player would be a huge blow given the sales and loans of players like Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah in the summer.

Any good will towards the sporting directors being built up by good results will quickly be lost if another top Cobham product walks away.