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Enzo Maresca Makes Emphatic Josh Acheampong Prediction After Chelsea Gem Signs New Contract

Enzo Maresca Makes Emphatic Josh Acheampong Prediction After Chelsea Gem Signs New Contract

Chelsea are having a great season, putting themselves firmly in the Premier League title picture and also flying in the Europa Conference League.

The Blues boast one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, with an average age of just under 24.

In addition, Chelsea have some great academy gems coming through, which fans have been able to see plenty of in the Europa Conference League.

One such player is Josh Acheampong, an 18-year-old defender who Chelsea fans have backed for a bright future at Stamford Bridge.

Acheampong was frozen out at Chelsea for a few months due to stalling contract talks, but he has since penned a new deal with the Blues.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca gave his verdict on Acheampong ahead of the Blues’ European meeting with Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca backs Josh Acheampong to become ‘great player’ for Chelsea

Maresca told reporters at his pre-match press conference that Acheampong “really impressed” him in When asked how pleased he was that the youngster has penned a new contract at Stamford Bridge, Maresca said: “Very, very happy.

“Josh has been quite clear, he was with us in pre-season. I didn’t know him personally, but after two or three days that he was there with us, he really impressed me.

“Since the pre-season I was trying to understand a little bit the situation with him in terms of contract and these kind of things.

“Now finally the club found an agreement with him and we are all happy because we are all convinced and sure that Josh can be a great player for this club.

What Maresca has said about Acheampong’s immediate future

Premier League youngsters often build experience by going out on loan, but Maresca isn’t planning this with Acheampong.

“My personal opinion is that he has to stay close to us,” said the Chelsea boss. “So as much as we can keep him here, it’s much better.”

Acheampong made his full Chelsea debut in the Europa Conference League victory over Astana in Kazakhstan.

He was also named among the substitutes for the Blues’ victory over Brentford on Sunday, so it’s clear that he’s in the first-team picture already.

 

 

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Transfers

Barcelona Express Interest In Bosman Deal For Tottenham Target; Arsenal Also Keen

Barcelona Express Interest In Bosman Deal For Tottenham Target; Arsenal Also Keen

Tottenham Hotspur have been looking to bring in a fullback (particularly a left back) in the 2025 transfer interval as the North Londoners look to add more depth and dynamism in the position given consistent injuries to Destiny Udogie, and the Lilywhites have reportedly identified Crystal Palace ace Tyrick Mitchell as a potential target.

The 25-year-old has been impressing at Selhurst Park with not only his attacking contributions but also his solid defensive performances, which makes him an attractive option for the Lilywhites. Moreover, the England international’s ability to play in a traditional full-back role as well as in a more advanced wing-back role.

This versatility and ability are something Ange Postecoglou has used well with Ugodie, and he wouldn’t mind having a player with similar intent in his roster.

Tottenham have competition to sign Mitchell

The North Londoners bid to bring Mitchell to White Hart Lane won’t be an easy one with Spanish giants Barcelona expressing interest in his signature, per the latest report by Sport.

Mitchell will be free to negotiate a pre-agreement with the Catalan giants next month given his contract situation with the Eagles, and he could be ready to take the next steps in his career.

Spurs north London rivals Arsenal are also in the run for the 25-year-old’s signature.

Daniel Levy has to gear up for a highly competitive transfer race given the interest in Mitchell’s signatures.

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Transfers

Juventus Want To Seal Move For Milan’s Fikayo Tomori Quickly

Juventus Want To Seal Move For Milan’s Fikayo Tomori Quickly

Serie A giants Juventus are keen to sign Milan defender Fikayo Tomori and want to seal their move quickly.

La Gazzetta dello Sport report today that Milan and Juve could meet each other on the negotiation table right after they play their games in the Supercoppa Italiana.

Tomori is someone that Juve have liked in the past and his name is at the top of the club’s shortlist again, largely due to his low gametime at Milan.

Negotiations with the Englishman will be unrelated to those involving Pierre Kalulu. Milan are open to selling the player but do not want to make any discounts. Juve are looking to close the move as soon as they can once they return from Saudi Arabia and want to get a deal done for a package that could be upto €25 million.

It could be an initial loan deal with the obligation to buy, with manager Thiago Motta already having given approval for the move.

 

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Transfers

PSG Ready To Hand Bukayo Saka Injury Solution To Arsenal With Transfer Proposal

Bukayo Saka Update Emerges After He Went Off Injured Against Crystal Palace On Saturday

Paris Saint-Germain are likely to offer Arsenal the chance to sign out-of-favour forward Randal Kolo Muani.

Arsenal have been hit with the news that star man Bukayo Saka will be ruled out for ‘many weeks’ with a hamstring tear and are weighing up whether to find a solution to his absence in the January transfer window. Saka, 23, has played the fourth-highest amount of minutes among Arsenal’s outfielders this season and the Gunners don’t have a natural right winger to replace him with.

His injury has given Mikel Arteta a dilemma as the winter window nears but PSG could have the answer to his problem in the shape of Randal Kolo Muani. The 26-year-old was signed for £64.2m in the summer of 2023, having shone for Eintracht Frankfurt, when he attracted interest from Manchester United. Kolo Muani was expected to play a larger role under Luis Enrique following the departure of Kylian Mbappe, but he’s only started two matches in Ligue 1 this season and played just 28 minutes of football in the last month.

The France international has now been made available on loan, despite being under contract until 2028, and the Evening Standard report that the French champions will offer him to a number of clubs in January, including Arsenal.

Saka’s absence has been compounded by an injury Raheem Sterling, who would’ve been in contention to replace him in the Gunners’ starting line-up against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day. Asked about the prospect of signing a replacement for Saka next month, Arteta insisted that his focus is on players who are already at the club.

“My focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can,” the Arsenal manager said. “We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable [becomes] available and if the club is willing to do it, we’ll have to consider it.”

The France international has now been made available on loan, despite being under contract until 2028, and the Evening Standard report that the French champions will offer him to a number of clubs in January, including Arsenal.

Saka’s absence has been compounded by an injury Raheem Sterling, who would’ve been in contention to replace him in the Gunners’ starting line-up against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day. Asked about the prospect of signing a replacement for Saka next month, Arteta insisted that his focus is on players who are already at the club.

“My focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can,” the Arsenal manager said. “We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable [becomes] available and if the club is willing to do it, we’ll have to consider it.”

“Obviously we didn’t predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem at the same time. We predicted more it would be something else, for example if something happened in the defensive line, but the job is done.

“Then, okay, if something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus is now, how will we extract still a lot of potential that there is in this squad.”

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