Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is determined to keep young defender Josh Acheampong at Stamford Bridge, despite reported interest from other clubs. Maresca has made it clear that he sees a bright future for the talented teenager at Chelsea and intends to resist any attempts to lure him away.
Acheampong's emergence has caught the attention of several clubs, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly among those keen on acquiring his services. The defender made his debut appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup in the final group-stage fixture against ES Tunis. However, Maresca views Acheampong as an integral part of his plans and believes the best path for the youngster's development lies at Chelsea.
Maresca has been impressed with Acheampong's versatility and willingness to learn. He lauded Acheampong's performance after Chelsea's victory against Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Conference League, highlighting his ability to play in multiple positions, including right-back, central midfield, and even central defense. Maresca stated, "For me potentially he can be a fantastic player for this club and in football in general". He added, "A good player shows you they can play in different positions... If you are a good player, you can play in different positions".
Acheampong himself has expressed his gratitude for Maresca's faith in him. In an interview with Chelsea's official website, he said, "It's important the manager has faith in me... It means I get to play – and I'm very happy to have played". This trust has been vital in Acheampong's development and integration into the first team.
Maresca's firm stance on Acheampong's future underscores the club's commitment to nurturing young talent. Chelsea are currently preparing for their last sixteen tie against Benfica in the Club World Cup. Maresca is determined to build a squad capable of competing for major honors, and he sees Acheampong as a key component of that vision. "My idea or my plan with Josh is quite clear," Maresca said. "I said many times that I really like Josh. I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club". He added, "The best plan for Josh is to be with us and I'm very happy if he's going to be with us".
With Maresca's unwavering support and Acheampong's desire to continue his development at Stamford Bridge, it seems likely that the young defender will remain a Chelsea player for the foreseeable future.
