Chelsea ‘bewildered’ over Acheampong contract stance

Chelsea will look to tie down Josh Acheampong on a long-term deal after being surprised that an initial contract extension wasn’t signed, according to reports.

Reports emerged earlier this week that the player had been frozen out of the first team after he did not agree terms. But today The Telegraph have told how Chelsea felt they have been jilted.

The defender, who has 18 months left on his current contract, will not play for the current club or the youth outfit as the club looks to solve the ongoing situation. The club ultimately felt that the player had moved the goalposts in terms of his new deal.

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The publication stated today: “Chelsea were left bewildered when they found out the contract would not be signed, but remain keen to try to find a compromise with 18-year-old Acheampong, who they rate highly.

“Chelsea believe they have demonstrated to Acheampong and their other talented young players that there is a pathway to the first team and a willingness to give homegrown talent a chance.”

The outlet also stressed that the Blues “are not the only club to take such a stance over a young player who has not committed their long-term future to the club.”

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Elite clubs such as Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and even Real Madrid have been linked with Acheampong as the situation continues.

He has featured for the first team already this season, coming on as a substitute against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea academy “important”

Speaking to Telegraph earlier this year, Chelsea sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart spoke about how the academy is of vital importance.

Winstanley said: “It’s really important for us to bring through players. We’ve got Tyrique George at the moment who’s going well. Josh [Acheampong] has had a debut. Kiano [Dyer] is really close. We’ve got Shim [Mheuka] who’s coming through in the academy, who we’re really excited about.”

Stewart said: “There’s nothing we want more than players coming through the academy, through the system and playing in the first team.

“Obviously, over time there will be a standard and a level that makes it challenging. I think if we look at the recent history – even the last few years when we’ve been here – the minutes for academy players, the debuts, stacks up against any other team in the Premier League. There are no teams that are out there who are playing more academy players for significant minutes.

“So, absolutely, we’re investing in the academy, we continue to invest in the academy and we’ve got a plan for the academy. We want to absolutely have the best academy of the future. It’s a big part of how we want to operate.”