Latest news with #JoshAcheampong
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'It was a bit of a shock, but it was good'
Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong has admitted his "shock" that manager Enzo Maresca knew him during Italian prepared a dossier when interviewing for the Chelsea job last summer which included an evaluation of every player in the first team and academy his appointment, Maresca called up academy players Acheampong and Tyrique George for a pre-season tour in the United States, and the pair were promoted to senior squad roles on a permanent basis in whether he was surprised Maresca knew him, Acheampong said: "Yes. I remember the first day. I was like, 'Hi, I'm Josh', and he was like, 'I know who you are'. "So it was a bit of a shock, but it was good. He's really positive. He gives me a lot of encouragement.""When I first joined up with the team, he told me what he wants from me, what I can improve on, what I do well."It was a good experience, being in the States, playing in big stadiums. It was kind of like the start of the journey."Maresca has repeatedly said he "loves" Acheampong, first when the club exiled the defender from the first team during contract negotiations, until he signed a new five-year deal in admits he got a "bit of stick" over it, but added: "It was really good to hear, to be fair. It gave me a lot of confidence."The 19-year-old has featured in seven of Chelsea's 12 games in the Conference League this season and hopes to play a part in Wednesday's final against Real Betis in said the tournament has served as a "stepping stone into men's football", adding: "Hopefully we can go all the way."
Evening Standard
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Who is Freddy Bernal? Arsenal 'make move' for latest Chelsea academy star
He made his U18 debut in a 4-2 loss to Crystal Palace, stepping up from the U16s to join five other first-year Chelsea scholars in a rotated team, and had travelled with the squad occasionally as they lifted the Premier League South title last season. That team featured Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George, who are now first-team regulars under Enzo Maresca.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
TNT Sports forced to apologise after Reece James swears about 16-year-old starlet Reggie Walsh as youngster makes history in Blues' Conference League win
TNT Sports were forced into an apology after Chelsea captain Reece James was unable to contain his excitement following the historic appearance of youngster Reggie Walsh. The 16-year-old Walsh became the Blues' youngest-ever starter in Europe when he was named in the side that faced Djurgarden in the Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday night. Enzo Maresca 's side cruised to a 1-0 win on the night and 5-1 aggregate victory that sealed their place in the final later this month, where they will face LaLiga side Real Betis. But all the conversation post match was focussed on the nifty No 10, who was afforded the full 90 minutes of the contest. Afterwards, Blues skipper James waxed lyrical about the teenager's display. His praise so effusive that he appeared to forget he was live TV and blurted out an expletive when remarking on youngsters ability to replicate his impressive performances in training in a real game. 'I've seen him in training lots, but training and games are different,' he said. 'This is the first time I've seen him play in a game and I was like f****** h***, I didn't realise how good he actually was. 'Training is training and you can't judge too much what you see in training.' Defender Josh Acheampong, only 19-years-old himself, also reserved special praise for Chelsea's history maker, adding: 'It's the first time I've played with Reggie as well. Even though I'm young he's a lot younger than me. I just said to him be confident, whatever you do in the 18s, 21s, just try and replicate here.' With Chelsea overmatching almost all of the sides they have faced in the Conference League, the competition has afford Maresca the chance to hand opportunities to academy starlets. Walsh got his first taste of action in last week's first leg and nearly scored after coming on as full-time approached. Following the game, Maresca said: 'I felt excited to give him the chance. He's suited to our style. He's the eighth debut from the academy. 'He is perfect for our system, but of course he's also young, so we need to protect him. I told him to enjoy the experience before he came on. It was the perfect night – an important semi-final and a good result.' On Thursday, the Blues sealed their place in the final with a 1-0 win courtesy of a first-half goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder cut in on to his left foot and found the bottom corner. With that, the Blues led by four goals on aggregate. Dewsbury-Hall was signed from Leicester for £30million. He has played a minor role in the Premier League, but has managed more minutes than anyone in this competition and will be worthy of that medal if Chelsea can see it through. Chelsea will face their toughest test in the Estadio Municipal de Breslavia in Warsaw on May 28. LaLiga side Betis secured their place in the clash after a nail-biting 4-3 aggregate win over Fiorentina.
