- Josh Acheampong has played just one game for Chelsea’s first team this season
- The youngster has also not featured for the Under 21s in nearly a month
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Chelsea find themselves in an ugly contract stand-off with their 18-year-old academy star Josh Acheampong, who is not set to feature for the club until a resolution has been found.
It is understood the Premier League side thought they had reached an agreement with the highly-rated right back over a new long-term deal, and that Chelsea were baffled when Acheampong did not then follow through on committing to that improved contract.
Acheampong has been linked with European giants as major as Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund as well as Liverpool, who frustrated Chelsea when they snagged their Cobham prospect Rio Ngumoha earlier this season.
The Blues remain keen to keep Acheampong but in the meantime, he is not expected to feature for either the Under 21s or the first team under Enzo Maresca, who used him in the Carabao Cup win over Barrow last month.
Supporters have high hopes for Acheampong, who was included in their pre-season tour of the United States. Chelsea feel there is a pathway into their senior side, as evidenced by Reece James and Levi Colwill.
Chelsea starlet Josh Acheampong has reportedly been frozen out until he signs a new deal
Acheampong has made just one appearance as a substitute under manager Enzo Maresca
Yet eyebrows were raised in recent matches when Acheampong was missing from Maresca’s match-day squad despite both of his right back options – James and Malo Gusto – being injured.
Chelsea’s head coach used centre backs in that position instead.
Chelsea declined to comment when approached on Tuesday.
