Chelsea face tough decision on Josh Achiempong after his impressive form under Alonso

Young English defender Josh Achiempong is making a strong case for himself at Chelsea after getting the chance to play regularly under manager Xabi Alonso. This puts the club's management in a crucial position regarding his future, especially with his rising form and increasing expectations of a potential call-up to the England national team in the near future.

Atchimbong, aged 20, has started in 6 of Chelsea's last 9 matches across competitions, having played 581 minutes under Alonso, a figure surpassed only by four players in the team, including Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Levi Colwill, and Maxence Lacroix.

The young defender has contributed to the team's improved defensive performance, conceding just one goal since the international break, after having previously conceded 12 goals in the Premier League. He also kept a clean sheet for the first time this season during the victory over Everton.

Achimponj plays a flexible role in the backline, within a system that relies on three defenders. He moves into midfield or heads to the flanks to contribute to the build-up of attacks, while maintaining a good understanding with Pedro Neto, the winger who sometimes occupies the full-back position.

The player has managed to maintain his starting position over Wesley Fofana, despite the significant fee Chelsea paid to sign the French defender. Alonso believes that the defensive improvement is due to collective work, alongside the return of Moisés Caicedo from injury and his role in achieving balance for the team.

Achimponj has been a part of the England U21 team, starting in 8 of the last 10 matches. This enhances his chances of being called up to the senior team if coach Thomas Tuchel decides to utilize a defender capable of playing in multiple positions on the right side.

This comes in light of Chelsea's academy history of developing defenders who have reached the England national team, such as John Terry, Marc Guéhi, Fikayo Tomori, and Trevoh Chalobah, which raises expectations for the young player's future.

Despite being contracted to Chelsea until 2029, the future of Achiampong has not always been stable, with his name linked to departures during several transfer windows. Inside the club, there are assurances that he is not for sale. Chelsea considered loaning the player before the start of the current season, given the congestion in the centre-back position and the lack of European participation for the team. Crystal Palace was mentioned as a potential destination for him, before the latter opted to loan Axel Disasi instead.

Echimbong was close to leaving the club despite joining Chelsea's academy at the age of eight. In 2023, he did not sign a professional contract on his seventeenth birthday, before the club management moved to secure his future in January 2024. Doubts about his continuation resurfaced a year later, during a period when former coach Enzo Maresca described the player's situation as "bad", before negotiations concluded with him signing a new contract in December 2024 that runs until 2029.

Data suggests that next summer could bring important decisions regarding the futures of Achiampong and Wofana, as their contracts will be entering their final two years at that time, while Colwill's contract runs until 2030. Currently, there are no active negotiations to extend Achiampong's contract, despite the idea of offering him a long-term deal of up to seven years being raised.

Meanwhile, those close to the player are cautious about rushing negotiations before confirming his ability to secure a regular starting spot, but the minutes he is given by Alonso could help Chelsea persuade him to stay and establish himself with the first team.