Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been forced to get creative with his team selection of late as a result of injuries running through the squad.
The attack has been impacted badly. Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu and Noni Madueke are set to be out for a number of weeks due to injury, leaving the manager scrapping for solutions.
One of those seems to be Tyrique George, who is pushing for his first Premier League start after an impressive cameo against Brighton in their most recent game.
Enzo Maresca’s bizarre decision to not play Josh Acheampong for Chelsea
The attacker was called up to the first team squad from the academy this season alongside Josh Acheampong, who has been a starter under Maresca in 2025.
The youngster started at centre-back in draws against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. Maresca named Acheampong his player of the match from the trip to Selhurst Park.
After consecutive Premier League starts, Acheampong is yet to take to the field again for the first team, being named on the bench for the last five games in all competitions.
Centre-back and right-back is certainly an area the Blues have been struggling of late too. Levi Colwill has been guilty of a number of high-profile errors of late.
The club are being cautious in building Reece James back to fitness too, however the youngster has not been able to earn himself a start on the right over Malo Gusto.
Acheampong back in the Chelsea U21s squad
After looking as if he had become a regular first team player, Acheampong was named in the starting side for the Chelsea U21s most recent fixture against Liverpool.
The game was most notable for who the Englishman was playing alongside. He started at centre-back with Aaron Anselmino, who was making his first appearance of any kind for Chelsea.
Acheampong has already proven he can be a real asset for the first team this season, and should really be given more opportunities considering their woes at the back of late.
