Chelsea have confirmed that they have agreed a new long-term contract with Josh Acheampong.
The future of the 18-year-old has been played out in the public eye in recent months, Enzo Maresca recently acknowledging that the academy player had been made unavailable due to the situation behind the scenes.
Acheampong and his representatives had given no concrete indication that they were willing to pen fresh terms anytime soon, a consequence of being unsure over whether the teenager would have a pathway through to the first team.
However, with the right-back starting last week's Conference League fixture against Astana in Kazakhstan, it became clear that a positive resolution was around the corner.
On Wednesday lunchtime, Chelsea announced that Acheampong had penned a deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2029.
Josh Acheampong has signed a new contract until 2029.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 18, 2024
Congratulations on your new deal, Josh! 🙌
How has Acheampong reached this stage?
With Mauricio Pochettino in charge, Acheampong was provided with his Premier League debut in May when the Blues were experiencing a wide array of injuries.
Having held his own during the closing stages of that crucial pivotal London derby, Maresca was happy to include the prospect in his travelling group for the pre-season tour of the United States.
Nevertheless, Acheampong would feature for just 27 minutes during the opening months of the campaign, that being a substitute outing versus Barrow in the EFL Cup.
As a result of interest building in his signature, Acheampong and his team naturally held off committing their future to Chelsea. Club officials were also knowledgeable over how they could benefit from cashing in on a homegrown talent.
That said, the desire on all sides was to remain with the West Londoners, and Acheampong has seemingly been promised regular opportunities in the senior ranks over the coming years.
© Imago
Ramifications for other players?
Chelsea are already blessed with players who can play at right-back with Reece James, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi all capable of being used there.
Although Acheampong will naturally accept playing backup to either James or Gusto in the short term, he will not expect to stay third in the pecking order in the long term.
If fit, James and Gusto could be viewed as untouchable options at right-back, yet both players - James, in particular - have struggled with fitness issues at times.
Acheampong is highly likely to start when Chelsea play host to Shamrock Rovers in their concluding Conference League fixture of the year on Thursday night.
Darren Plant
