Youngster profiled 

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Chelsea have developed a reputation for selling off their academy stars in recent seasons and it’s proved an extremely lucrative strategy. Cashing in on academy graduates represents pure profit for Premier League and UEFA financial regulations and Chelsea have earned an incredible €479m from selling homegrown players since the start of the 2014/15 season. 

The Stamford Bridge side recouped over €100m this summer from the departures of Omari Hutchison, Lewis Hall, Ian Maatsen and Conor Gallagher. But one player Chelsea don’t want to lose is Josh Acheampong with the 18-year-old generating substantial interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world. The pathway to Chelsea’s first-team is incredibly difficult to navigate due to their bloated squad so could Acheampong seek a new challenge with opportunities limited?

Who is Chelsea starlet Josh Acheampong? 

Acheampong is the latest starlet to emerge from Cobham’s prestigious conveyor belt of talent. The teenager is comfortable playing across the defence but he’s primarily viewed as a right-back. Acheampong joined Chelsea’s academy aged just seven and he was a standout during his progression through youth level before stepping up to train with the first-team last season. He was named on the bench against Newcastle in March before Mauricio Pochettino handed Acheampong his professional debut from the bench in the 2-0 Premier League win over Tottenham in May.

The youngster travelled with Enzo Maresca’s squad for pre-season to the United States but he’s only received 27 first-team minutes this season against Barrow in the League Cup. Chelsea have two excellent right-backs within their first-team squad in Malo Gusto and Reece James. Gusto is only three years older than Acheampong and he’s excelled since joining Chelsea last summer, while James remains club captain despite being injury prone. Although Acheampong remains an excellent prospect that Chelsea don’t want to lose, the English youth international will have plenty of suitors if he departs West London. 

Who wants to sign Josh Acheampong?

Acheampong has been on the radar of clubs across Europe but Real Madrid are considering a move in January, according to the Independent. The Spanish giants reportedly have a long-term interest in the Chelsea starlet, which has been accelerated by a serious injury to Dani Carvajal. While several players can deputise at right-back, Real Madrid lack a natural replacement and they’ve been constantly linked with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Acheampong could represent an alternative in January. 

Real Madrid, however, aren’t the only big club to be monitoring Acheampong, with Liverpool also linked as a potential long-term replacement if Alexander-Arnold leaves. Premier League rivals Tottenham and Newcastle United are also known admirers while Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund are tracking developments. Acheampong’s contract expires in 2026, which is an interesting subplot, as Chelsea will be forced into making a decision if no extension materialises.