Chelsea have reportedly informed academy star Josh Acheampong that he will not feature in either the first team or the development squad until he signs a new contract.
The 18-year-old defender, who has been with Chelsea since the Under-8 level, is currently under contract until 2026 after signing his first professional deal in January.
However, with interest growing from Real Madrid and several Premier League clubs, Chelsea are eager to secure an extended agreement with the young talent to avoid him running his contract down.
Acheampong is highly regarded within the Cobham academy, with Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca describing him as “brave” and possessing great “personality.”
The club is reportedly optimistic that negotiations will resume soon and that the situation will be resolved amicably. Chelsea have previously taken similar stances with other academy players, refusing to allow them to play if they do not commit to a new deal.
Maresca, a big fan of Acheampong, has expressed his belief in the defender’s potential. In comments from September, he highlighted the importance of managing young players’ expectations, noting that they can quickly shift between feeling overly confident or too self-critical.
Maresca believes that Acheampong could become a top defender if properly developed and has made it clear that the club sees a bright future for him.
Acheampong, who can play both right-back and center-back, made his Premier League debut last season against Tottenham Hotspur and featured in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup victory over Barrow AFC earlier this season.
He also recently made his debut for England’s Under-20s and has represented the national team at various youth levels, from the Under-16s to the Under-19s.
Chelsea’s decision not to sell Acheampong reflects their desire to keep him long-term, and while the current standoff may be frustrating for the player, the club remains hopeful that a new contract will soon be agreed.
Chelsea are keen to avoid a situation where Acheampong’s contract enters its final 12 months, a scenario the club has sought to prevent with other academy graduates in the past.