Enzo Maresca has confirmed Chelsea academy graduate Josh Acheampong is close to signing a new contract and is set start his first senior game for the club against Astana tomorrow night.
The Athletic exclusively reported in October that the 18-year-old had been frozen out of all Chelsea teams because negotiations over a new deal had broken down.
But there have been increasing signs of a reconciliation in recent weeks as Acheampong trained with the senior squad ahead of their Conference League match at Heidenheim a fortnight ago. The defender also played for the Under-21 side for the first time in two months when he came on as a substitute against Derby County on November 29.
Acheampong’s contract runs out in 2026 but Maresca believes an extension is nearly finalised. He said: “With Josh it is all quite clear. We all love Josh, the club loves Josh, I love Josh and we are trying to find an agreement. We are close, we are almost there. We’ll see.”
A further indication of the teenager’s improved situation is he is in line to face Astana in Chelsea’s UEFA Conference match in Kazakhstan. Maresca added: “He is in the squad and is probably going to play from the start.”
Maresca also confirmed a number of senior players will be left behind so they can concentrate on preparing for the Premier League fixture at home to Brentford on Sunday.
One of the players who is remaining at Cobham is winger Noni Madueke, who is expected to start at the weekend due to Pedro Neto being suspended.
(Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
