Defender · #34
Josh Acheampong
England · 6'3" · 20
His role
Acheampong plays on the right of the back three. He defends the channel outside Lacroix and carries the ball into midfield when opponents leave him free.
His story
- 01Drama
Chelsea banned him from playing until he signed
When contract talks stalled in autumn 2024, Chelsea stopped Acheampong from playing for any of the club's teams. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich began circling the eighteen-year-old defender while the standoff continued. He finally signed through 2029 in December and, within three weeks, was making his first Premier League start.
- 02Record
The cheapest man in the back four by a factor of forty
Acheampong's estimated £5,000 weekly wage is the lowest among Chelsea's regular defenders; Reece James, beside him in the same back line, is reported to earn about forty times more. Acheampong joined the academy at under-eight level and made his senior debut three days before turning eighteen. The least expensive contract in the defence belongs to the player Chelsea developed itself.
- 03Off the pitch
His middle name means Friday
Kofi is the traditional Ghanaian name given to a boy born on Friday. Acheampong was born in London, went to school in Walthamstow and is eligible to represent England, Ghana or Ireland. So far he has played for England's youth teams, but his middle name carries another part of his family story everywhere he goes.
Career
Chelsea2023–
