Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca questioned whether or not these advising Josh Acheampong have his bests pursuits at coronary heart.
The Blues knowledgeable Acheampong on Tuesday he wouldn’t function in any respect for the primary staff or improvement squad till he pens a brand new deal.
Acheampong, whose contract expires in 2026, is taken into account one of many brightest prospects at Cobham and has attracted curiosity from Liverpool and Actual Madrid.
talkSPORT understands Chelsea’s intention is to maintain a maintain of him however the longer the contract saga continues, it might pressure the Blues’ hand.
Acheampong’s latest refusal to increase has caught Maresca abruptly, particularly for the reason that pair had a great dialog concerning the teenage star’s future in latest weeks.
“I really feel a disgrace for Josh,” Maresca stated.
“This type of recreation may very well be a possibility for him. I had a chat with him personally about three weeks in the past about his state of affairs. The chat we had was very optimistic.
“It is a disgrace as a result of I actually assume Josh probably is usually a high participant. He is nonetheless 18, so many issues can change for him, however probably he may be crucial for Chelsea.
“It is so necessary for the membership that our intention is to not lose him. The very first thing we have to do is discover a answer about his contract, his future.
“It is a dangerous state of affairs on this second for him. I do not know if the people who find themselves making an attempt to unravel the issue are serving to him or not.”
Maresca added: “I actually like Josh and I wish to have him right here with us. However it’s not doable.”
Acheampong was handed his Chelsea debut by Mauricio Pochettino final season in a 2-0 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
The 18-year-old loved a five-minute cameo off the bench towards Chelsea’s London rivals.
He was additionally an unused substitute for 3 different Premier League fixtures in addition to the Blues’ FA Cup quarter last match towards Leicester Metropolis.
Acheampong has featured as soon as for Chelsea’s senior staff this season as he loved 27 minutes off the bench within the Blues’ 5-0 thrashing of Barrow within the EFL Cup.
He was an unused substitute within the second leg of Chelsea’s Europa Convention League qualifier towards Swiss aspect Servette as nicely.
Acheampong additionally featured for England’s Underneath-19 aspect through the September worldwide break as he began in a 2-2 draw towards Italy and a 3-2 loss to Germany.
Chelsea are in Europa Convention League motion on Thursday towards Greek aspect Panathinaikos, a match you’ll be able to take heed to reside on talkSPORT 2.