Josh Acheampong numbers vindicates Enzo Maresca faith in Chelsea youngster
Josh Acheampong was the highlight on what turned out to be a frustrating opening day of the Premier League season for Chelsea.
Optimism was high at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea secured Conference League and Club World Cup titles over the last few months.
However, the Blues were kept at bay by a resolute Crystal Palace defensive performance, limited to just three shots on target throughout the goalless match.
But things could have been much worse for Chelsea, were it not for the efforts of teenager Acheampong — who was named ‘Star of the Match’ by the club.
Josh Acheampong shines vs Crystal Palace
Acheampong showed plenty of promise in pre-season and at the Club World Cup and was thrown straight into the starting XI on the opening day of the campaign to cover for injuries to Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile.
The 19-year-old had the unenviable task of going up against Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been linked with Liverpool after making a habit of humiliating defenders under Oliver Glasner.
But Acheampong showed no signs of nerves, despite this being just his third-ever Premier League start.
| Josh Acheampong stats vs Crystal Palace | |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Headed clearances | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Dribbled past | 1 |
| Ground duels won | 6/7 (86%) |
| Aerial duels won | 5/7 (71%) |
The defender won more duels than any other player on the pitch on Sunday (11), while clocking up phenomenal defensive numbers with two tackles, five clearances, four recoveries and an interception (FotMob).
Acheampong didn’t just live with Mateta; he humbled him, winning five of his seven aerial duels and restricting the French striker to just one touch in the opposition box throughout the 90 minutes.
Of course, Acheampong has also shown composure beyond his years on the ball during his short time as a senior player.
That was the case again on Sunday, with the England youth international completing 94% of his passes and both of his attempted dribbles — cruising forward with the ball to break the Palace press.
Acheampong helps Maresca avoid defensive disaster
Football Insider verdict
Chelsea fans were keen to praise Acheampong on social media after he was singled out for his performance by Chelsea.
But it wasn’t just the Stamford Bridge faithful who were impressed by the talented centre-back’s performance, with manager Maresca also taking the time to laud his showing against a lethal striker.
“Josh was very good,” Maresca told the Chelsea website. “We showed our confidence in Josh last year as he played some games for us. Today, he did very well, he dealt with Mateta very well, so overall, he had a good game.”
Chelsea have already spent heavily once again this summer, bringing in the likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap to bolster their attack.
The Blues can ill afford to be splashing out further on defenders, but with Adarabioyo and Badiashile back in action soon enough, Maresca might now feel confident his backline is in good hands with Acheampong next to Trevoh Chalobah.
Indeed, those returning centre-backs might face a challenge getting back into the starting XI at all if Acheampong continues in this manner.