Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has delivered a positive update over the future of Josh Acheampong.
The academy star burst onto the scene at the end of last season when he was handed his Premier League debut during the closing stages of a crucial 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.
However, at the same time as speculation has mounted regarding interest from elsewhere, a long-term contract is still waiting to be penned.
As a result, the 18-year-old spent a period of being prevented from representing the senior or youth side, a realistic scenario emerging where he could be sold during the January transfer window.
Instead, speaking to reporters at a press conference on Wednesday morning, Maresca gave every indication that the teenager sees his future at Chelsea.
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"We are almost there"
Earlier this week, it became apparent that Maresca would be taking a squad full of academy players to Kazakhstan for Thursday's Conference League fixture against Astana.
With Acheampong's name naturally being brought up in the pre-match media briefing at Cobham, the Italian revealed that he intends to use the right-back in his starting lineup.
Maresca said, as quoted by football.london: "He's in the squad and is probably going to play from the start.
"With Josh, it's quite clear, we all love Josh, the club love Josh and I love Josh. We are trying to find an agreement with the player. It's close, we are almost there."
Up until now, Acheampong has played just 27 minutes of first-team football during 2024-25, which was a substitute outing versus Barrow in the EFL Cup third round.
Nevertheless, it became clear that progress had been made in contract negotiations when he featured for 22 minutes in a recent Premier League 2 fixture versus Derby County.
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Which other academy players will travel?
Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Shumaira Mheuka, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Harrison McMahon, Ato Ampah, Max Merrick and Richard Olise are all names that feature in the squad on the official UEFA website.
Six of those were added this week, while Maresca has suggested that he will only be taking a squad of 17 players on the 7,000-mile-round trip.
With Axel Disasi taking on media duties alongside Maresca on Wednesday morning, it appears that the Frenchman will be one of the few senior contingent involved.
Darren Plant
