Chelsea's controversial Josh Acheampong decision seems brutal - but the club have a plan in mind

Chelsea owners have made their decision on Josh Acheampong, he’s been frozen out of the club unless he signs a new contract. He won’t be playing for the senior or youth teams until he commits. This is fair or unfair depending on how you look at things.

The 18-year-old right-back is a talent the club value highly, and they are determined not to let him leave without a fight. Unfortunately, negotiations for a long-term contract have taken a turn for the worse on his side.

Acheampong is seeking a clear pathway to regular playing time at the highest level, but with club captain David James and Malo Gusto ahead of him—both young right-backs—he feels his chances at Chelsea are limited.

With his contract expiring in 2026 and interest growing from Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, and Real Madrid, Chelsea is keen to avoid him entering the final year of his contract without a concrete decision on his future.

Enzo Maresca, who has consistently aligned with his employers, commented on the situation: “The situation with Acheampong is a shame. For the future, he can be very important for Chelsea. But the first thing we need to do is to find a solution for his contract. It's a shame because I really think Josh has the potential to be a top player.”

The Italian coach acknowledges Acheampong’s talent, particularly as an England U21 international, but is bound by the directives of his superiors. While the club is focused on returning to the UEFA Champions League, Maresca would have liked to give Acheampong opportunities in the UEFA Europa Conference League and the Carabao Cup. However, the orders from above mean that Josh Acheampong will have to wait for his moment to shine.

As player agents gain more influence over their clients’ career paths, clubs have become more ruthless. Chelsea showed little hesitation in telling players like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell that they were no longer part of the club’s future plans.

Chelsea are intent on building a dynasty with young talent, prioritising promising prospects over established players in the transfer market. They have set a standard for securing long-term contracts with players they believe in. For example, Cole Palmer, after exceeding expectations in his first season, agreed to extend his contract and received a pay rise.

Aaron Anselmino (19) is signed until 2031, 17-year-old Brazilian star Estevao William, nicknamed “Messinho”, has an eight-year contract waiting for him, Mike Penders (19) is also contracted until 2031, Andrey Santos is tied to the club until 2030, Tyrique George’s deal runs until 2028, and Levi Colwill’s contract extends until 2030. Of all the promising talents Chelsea trusts to build their future, only Josh Acheampong is not tied down to a long-term contract. His agent wants the best for the player while Chelsea also want the best for themselves. Acheampong has just been caught in the crossfire.

Chelsea’s handling of Acheampong’s situation may seem harsh, but the club knows that successful dynasties are often built with tough decisions.