Josh Acheampong: Chelsea Exile Highly-Rated Star From Squad, Give Him Ultimatum

• Chelsea have omitted their highly-rated defender Josh Acheampong from all club activities after contractual disputes
• Acheampong hasn't featured for any Chelsea side in the last month, with the club giving him an ultimatum
• The defender has attracted interest from top European sides, with Real Madrid and Liverpool looking at him

Fans reacted wildly after news broke that Chelsea had kicked Josh Acheampong out of training. The highly rated defender has been exiled from first-team or development squad training until he signs a new contract.

Why Chelsea has exiled Acheampong

Acheampong's current contract runs until 2026, and Chelsea is looking to tie him down to a long-term contract amid interest from other clubs.

The 18-year-old right-back is thought of highly in West London, but the treatment he has gotten has rubbed fans the wrong way.

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Acheampong has only been named in Enzo Maresca's side twice this season despite the club considering him their third-option right-back after Reece James and Malo Gusto.

Reactions to the news:

Here are some of the responses from fans.

@tomcoley49:

"This is the player who signed a deal earlier this year and hasn't been offered much to convince him to sign a longer one yet."

@SkelcherTom:

"The club is just protecting itself from another livramento situation. He either goes for what he’s worth or signs a new deal, the club aren’t getting held over a barrel selling him for a few million in 18 months time."

@tomcoley49:

"What benefit does him not playing have, though?"

@blu3ice83:

"No problem with it , nothing against the boy , but agents drive this."

@E_MarescaBall:

"This is Josh who's NOT signing a new improved deal at the club he loves."

@Nocomp18:

"We are ruthless and I love it."

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@CFCYabuki:

"If he likes it so much he should sign a new contract."

How many minutes has Acheampong played this season?

He was not included in Chelsea's games against Bournemouth and West Ham despite the two missing out with injury. Maresca opted to use centre-backs Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana in that position.

His only minutes in the senior squad this season came against Barrow AFC, where he was given 27 minutes.

He has also been sidelined from Chelsea's U21 squad since 27 September, so he hasn't featured for the Blues for almost a month.

The Athletic has been told that the omission is a result of the contract negotiations. The defender has been told he will not play again until a way forward is agreed on.

It is not the first time Chelsea has treated an academy graduate harshly, with recent Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher cases quickly coming to mind.

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The Independent has previously reported that Real Madrid and Liverpool are among the clubs interested in signing the defender.

Why Palmer was removed from Chelsea's UECL squad

Briefly News had earlier explained why Cole Palmer had been removed from Chelsea's Conference League squad.

Palmer has arguably been the club's best player since switching from Manchester City at the start of last season. However, he was excluded from Chelsea's Conference League squad as the club debuted in the third-tier European competition.

Source: TUKO.co.ke