Chelsea star completes transfer U-turn after Enzo Maresca's public comments
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Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong has agreed a new deal with the club having been banished from the first-team squad earlier this season because of talks reaching an impasse. The 18-year-old defender, who returned in last week's Conference League win away to Astana, has put pen to paper on a deal that will run to the summer of 2029 after two months of speculation that linked him with a move away from West London.
Acheampong is back training with Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad every day and he could feature again at home to Shamrock Rovers in their final league phase game in the Conference League on Thursday night. A decision was taken by the club's hierarchy in early autumn for Acheampong to be not considered for selection until a resolution was found.
Following the announcement, Maresca said: "I'm very, very happy. With Josh it's been quite clear. I didn't know him personally but after two or three days he really impressed me. “Since pre-season I was trying to understand the situation with his contract. Finally the club has found an agreement and we're all happy and convinced he can be a great player for this club.”.
Maresca, whose pre-match press conference was dominated by questions over Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed doping test, also played down the chances of Acheampong heading out on loan in the January transfer window. "My personal opinion is he has to stay close to us. As much as we can keep him here it's much better,” the head coach added.
