According to reports, Chelsea have told Josh Acheampong that he will not play for the first team or the development squad until he signs a new contract with the club.

Acheampong’s current deal with Chelsea expires in 2026 and there are talks of a new deal; however, it’s yet to be finalised.

Josh Acheampong is a right-back who can also play a centre-back, and the Chelsea academy product is highly rated at the club.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca has spoken highly of Josh Acheampong, and admits the situation is a shame.

“I feel a bit shame for Josh because this kind of game could be an opportunity for him,” Enzo Maresca told a press conference about the contract standoff between Chelsea and Josh Acheampong.

“I had a chat with him about three weeks ago about his situation and the chat we had was very good but since that moment I haven’t spoken to him again.

“It’s a shame because I really think Josh can potentially be a top player. He is still 18 so very young, many things can change. For the future, he can be very important for Chelsea.

“It’s so important for the club that is our intention is not to use him but the first thing we need to do is to find a solution for his contract, for his future. It’s a bad situation for him at the moment.

“I don’t know if the people are helping him or not. I really like Josh and I would like to have him here with us but it is not possible.”