Just when things seemed to be headed in the right direction for Chelsea, despite a wobbly last couple of results, we were hit by a bombshell yesterday with the news about Josh Acheampong.
He’s the 18 year old we’re all getting really, really excited about. He’s made his debut this season, he’s looking like the next academy gem ready to blossom on the big stage.
Yet as we’re seeing time and again with our best young talent, his future seems very much in danger. An exclusive from the Athletic yesterday revealed that he’s been frozen out of games both at senior and U21 level until he signs a new contract.
It seems not only a harsh tactic, but also a foolish one. Surely the carrot (giving him starts in games like tomorrow’s Conference League clash) will work better than the stick? Treat him badly and he will just walk away when his current deal ends.
Acheampong stance stuns Chelsea who had been hopeful
A little more detail was added to the story later in the day by Matt Law. He makes it clear that Chelsea had a deal on the table for Josh, and “believed a new deal had been agreed.”
They were then “left bewildered when they found out the contract would not be signed.” They “remain keen to try to find a compromise” – but it doesn’t sound great. Acheampong is accused of “mysteriously reneging” on the deal that was on the table.
This freeze out sounds like it’s been a while in the making. Either of the clubs mentioned as interested – from Liverpool to Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid – have clearly turned his head and convinced him to turn down offers at Chelsea and move there for free in 18 months, or he’s just not convinced about his pathway at Chelsea.
Either way, it spells trouble for us.
