Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Conference League quarter-final was a night filled with standout performances, but for head coach Enzo Maresca, one name rose above the rest – Josh Acheampong.

The 18-year-old academy starlet caught the Italian’s eye with a mature and versatile display, earning him the highest possible praise from the man in charge.

“The one I fell in love with tonight was Josh Acheampong,” Maresca declared post-match, clearly smitten with the teenager’s all-action showing.

Maresca continued: “For me potentially he can be a fantastic player for this club and in football in general.”

It’s not the first time Maresca has taken notice of Acheampong, but this time, it felt like a defining moment. “Since we started, I am in love with him, but tonight he showed he can be a very good player for this club.”

What stood out most about Acheampong’s performance was his tactical intelligence and positional flexibility – something Maresca heavily values.

“A good player shows you they can play in different positions. He was full-back good, midfielder good, central defender good,” the Chelsea boss explained.

“It’s not about playing in that position, or that position. If you are a good player, you can play in different positions. He can be good in different positions.

“The best thing about Josh also is he is open. He wants to learn. Full-back? Okay, no problem. What do I have to do? Perfect. Midfielder? What do I have to do? This is a player who wants to play in all positions, who wants to learn. Josh is doing that since we started.”

For a player whose last Premier League appearance was a one-minute cameo against Leicester more than a month ago, this performance could be the springboard to greater opportunities.