Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will have a tough job on his hands in figuring out how to handle the heart of the club’s defence going into the new season. All was going well for the Blues after their recent triumph in the Club World Cup and a productive transfer window. But the ACL injury suffered by Levi Colwill presents a new challenge for them.
Meanwhile, at a time like this, defenders like Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi are expected to depart, with the former being heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal. One might argue that Chelsea will still be left with a number of dependable options, which is true to some extent. However, that might soon change if reports are to be believed.
According to The Sun, Bournemouth have identified Josh Acheampong as a top target. But Chelsea are only willing to sanction a straight loan and view him as the next Colwill.
Despite Acheampong mostly playing as a right-back for Chelsea so far, the youngster can also operate in the heart of defence. That is where he is expected to feature moving forward.
Bournemouth identify Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong as a prime target
Bournemouth are currently stretched thin in their defence after the departures of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi, who joined Real Madrid and PSG, respectively. Milos Kerkez was the third departure, having joined Liverpool.
Chelsea are also going through a difficult period in terms of defence, as they can’t seem to escape an injury crisis. Colwill is out, potentially for the entire campaign, and one cannot forget the injury-prone nature of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. This is not an ideal situation to be in.
It is highly unlikely that Chelsea will let go of Acheampong this summer, either on loan or on a permanent basis. The player has had limited opportunities so far. Although that might not be the case moving forward.
Having said all that, you never know what might happen next in modern football. So, until the transfer window officially closes, we can’t say anything for certain regarding Acheampong’s future. Till then, it’s a matter of wait and watch.