Chelsea starlet Acheampong hoping Blues ‘uncle’ can help Champions League dream

Josh Acheampong is being guided in his Chelsea career by two of the club’s defenders, with one acting as his ‘uncle’ and another living out his Champions League dream

Josh Acheampong grew up listening to the Champions League anthem – and now cannot wait to run out to the music himself.

Acheampong, 19, joined Chelsea as an eight-year-old and went to big European games at Stamford Bridge as a kid when he could only dream of making the first team. Chelsea defender Acheampong has already played in the Club World Cup and is relishing the experience of playing in the United States with his own “uncle” looking out for him.

Acheampong revealed teammate Tosin Adarabioyo looks after the youngsters coming through which has earned him a friendly nickname in the dressing room.

England youth international Acheampong said: “Tosin is the oldest in the team. He gives me advice if I need to ask him any questions. He’ll get me in the gym and stuff like that, so he’s good. He’s known as Uncle Tosin.

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“He gives advice like to stay focused. Always, every day, try your best, work your hardest, do extras. Obviously, there’s tough days. Training might be tough, you might play a bad game, but you’ve got to try and stay focused.

“Not a lot of people can say they’ve come to the US to play football. All my school friends and stuff like that. Whenever I show them videos and stuff, they’re all really excited for me.

“I was thinking about playing in the Champions League the other day, to be fair. I used to go to the Champions League nights at Stamford Bridge when I was younger. Stuff like that, it’s just really exciting.

“I remember watching Juventus when Trevoh Chalobah scored. When we won, obviously, watching it on TV. So just days like that. I think I was on TikTok and a video came up from when Trev scored. And I was like: ‘Hopefully one day that could be me.’”

Acheampong has been a target for clubs – including Borussia Dortmund – for a loan move for the coming season but the Londoner is focused on staying at Chelsea and the quarter final with Palmeiras on Friday.

He added: “I just focus on my football. Hopefully we win our next game and win the tournament. I’m really enjoying it. It’s good to play in nice weather. It’s been fun.”

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The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world’s best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.

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