Enzo Maresca has sent a warning to Chelsea over ‘top’ academy star Josh Acheampong after he was linked with a transfer to Real Madrid.
Chelsea have no desire to sell Acheampong, but have reportedly told him that he won’t play for the first team or development squad until he signs a new contract.
The 18-year-old joined Chelsea’s youth ranks as an Under-8 and signed his first professional deal with the Blues in January this year, which runs until 2026.
Chelsea are already desperate to extend Acheampong’s contract, though, after the teenager attracted interest from Real Madrid and three Premier League clubs.
Head coach Maresca has now weighed in with his thoughts on the situation, when asked in a press conference if he had been explicitly told not to play Acheampong.
‘No,’ the Italian said. ‘To be honest, I feel a bit of shame for Josh because I think this kind of games can be an opportunity for him.
‘I had a chat with him, personally, about three weeks ago; about his situation and the chat we had was a very good chat, a positive chat but since that moment I haven’t spoken to him again.
‘As I said, it’s a shame. I think Josh potentially can become a top player. He is still 18, so still very young, so many things can change for him, but he can potentially be very important thing for Chelsea.
‘It’s so important for the club that our intention is not to lose him. The first thing we need to do is to find a solution for his future. The most important thing at this stage is to get minutes, enjoy and to play football.
‘For him, I don’t know the people who are trying to solve the problem, if they are helping him or not. I really like Josh and I would really like to have him here with us but it is not possible.’
Acheampong is very much viewed as a jewel of the Cobham academy – but according to The Athletic – Chelsea won’t play him until he pens a new deal.
Chelsea have made it clear that they do not want players to run their contracts down to 12 months and under – and they took similar action with other stars.
The Blues have no desire to sell Acheampong and are instead ‘optimistic’ that the situation will be resolved. They are planning for negotiations to resume so he can continue playing for the club.
Acheampong, who can operate at right-back or centre-back, made his Premier League debut for Chelsea against Spurs last term and featured in the Carabao Cup win over Barrow AFC earlier this season.
Chelsea boss Maresca is a big fan of Acheampong and speaking in September, the Italian added: ‘I really like Josh.
‘For me, potentially, he can be a top player, a top defender in the future.
‘With young players, I have a lot of experience and I like to moderate them a little bit because today young players can change very quickly.
‘They can quickly think they are so good or so bad, so you need to moderate a little bit the way that they join us [in the first team].’
Acheampong recently made his debut for England Under-20s and also represented the Three Lions at U19, U18, U17 and U16 level.
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