Fear Acheampong could do a Guehi as Fofana spared awkward reunion

JOSH ACHEAMPONG is one of the highest-rated defensive talents to emerge from Chelsea’s illustrious Cobham academy since Reece James.

But it seems as though he could face the same fate as Lewis Hall, and Marc Guehi if the Blues are not careful.

Of course, for him, that may be just fine.

For Chelsea, that should not be an option.

At 19-years-old, he is already competing for the right-centre back role with Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and fellow 19-year-old Mamadou Sarr, who also seems to be above him in the pecking order.

And even in an eventual 7-0 win over Port Vale, he was subbed on after 85 minutes in a game in which he could’ve gained vital experience.

To some, Acheampong is not necessarily of the quality yet to be starting games for Chelsea.

But others would argue that neither are Fofana or Tosin Adarabioyo, both of whom started against Port Vale.

With the side in desperate need of some really experienced quality, you would expect them to look for that potentially in defence and in goal in the summer window.

That will only push Acheampong further down the pecking order.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS

With a compilation of his best bits going viral on X yesterday, fans were up in arms about his lack of minutes.

One said: “My theory is they’re giving Josh mins here and there because that’s enough to entice someone to pay £25m+ lol he will be sold.. because I don’t know how Tosin is getting mins over him.”

While another added: “How’s he not played more this season?

“Not just under Rosenior, but Maresca (this season) as well.

“Another SERIOUS Cobham talent at our disposal. We can’t allow this to be another Lewis Hall incident.”

And a third echoed the same rhetoric: “Inferior centre-backs have constantly played ahead of him, and I’m f sick of it.

“I can only imagine how he feels. We’re going to fumble another elite academy product because we wanna play worse players to supposedly up their value.”

Chelsea, though, insists that the 19-year-old is untouchable and will be a star of the future at Stamford Bridge.

But whether or not he will be happy just milling around on the subs bench and not getting any real minutes is another story.

His close pal Tyrique George was in a very similar situation, and subsequently moved on after a breakthrough season in which he was then replaced by two big-money signings in Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens – neither of whom have yet proved to be a significant upgrade.

ENZ-NO?

ENZO FERNANDEZ has one more weekend to spend on the naughty step.

But the Argentine midfielder, 25, might have to find a way to make things up to everyone rather than force his way out.

Fernandez spent the international break offering himself up to Real Madrid and has been sanctioned for doing so by Liam Rosenior, dropped from the squad for games against Port Vale and Manchester City.

However, his very public flirtations are expected to meet with a cash flow problem this summer.

Put simply, whether they like Fernandez or not, Real Madrid will not be able to find the cash.

Los Blancos know it will take more than £100million to agree a deal with Chelsea, and they will not have that available to spend on one player this summer.

Real’s finances were boosted last year by their involvement in the Club World Cup, funds they cannot call on again this summer.

Sales and player exits freeing up money are expected, with Eduardo Camavinga on the market and David Alaba‘s contract expiring.

But even if they rake in a fortune in sales, Real insiders do not expect the club to swoop in and lift a frustrated Fernandez out of Stamford Bridge.

MOROCCAN MESSI SHINES AGAIN

IF you are a regular reader of the Chelsea Files, or follow the Blues’ academy, you will have heard of the ‘Moroccan Messi’ in South West London, Ibrahim Rabbaj.

The highly rated attacking midfielder/winger was given that nickname early in his career due to his build and haircut, as well as his immense dribbling ability and wicked left foot.

Earlier in the season, SunSport went to check him out for ourselves against Barcelona, no less, and were left incredibly impressed.

But now, he is going from strength to strength, it seems, as he was named Best Player of the UNAF U17 Tournament and lifted the trophy with Morocco.

He’s got five goals and three assists this season for the Blues, playing for the under-18 and under-19 age groups.

SPARED AN AWKWARD REUNION

WESLEY FOFANA was spared an awkward reunion at the weekend thanks to his place in the starting XI to face Port Vale.

Located behind Chelsea’s substitutes bench at Stamford Bridge is the pricey Dugout Club.

NFL icons, huge Hollywood figures and music stars have graced the expensive seats behind Rosenior’s hot seat this season.

The stars, who have included Timothee Chalamet this season, sit right behind the Blues subs.

Had Fofana been sat there on Saturday, he would have been in for a bit of a fright, with ex-Eastenders actor Dean Gaffney taking in the FA Cup quarter-final.

You would think that Fofana and Gaffney would occupy completely different worlds.

That was certainly the case until four years ago, when the French defender ran Gaffney over on the King’s Road!

The I’m A Celebrity star suffered a broken collarbone after being hit by Fofana’s Lamborghini in December 2022.

Fofana was breathalysed at the scene but allowed on his way, having been deemed not to be at fault for the incident.

Fofana was banned from driving in November last year and has racked up a staggering 50 points on his driving license.

PESSIMISM IS RIFE

There is no fanbase more pessimistic in the Premier League right now than Chelsea.

And yes, that includes Tottenham, according to a survey done by The Athletic.

In their Premier League ‘Hope-o-meter’, 92.4 per cent of Blues fans said they feel pessimistic about the rest of the season, which placed them bottom of the table.

One Chelsea fan even comically added: “The 7.6% are part of the problem we have at Chelsea.”

Ahead of them were Spurs, with 87.1 per cent of fans pessimistic, followed by Liverpool with 77.8 per cent.

If you were wondering, top of the tree were Sunderland, with 98.6 per cent feeling optimistic.

PROTEST CONFIRMED

The details of Chelsea’s protest with Strasbourg fans ahead of the game against Manchester United have been confirmed.

Leading protest group NotAProjectCFC announced the news this week with the following statement.

“Following discussions with the Met Police and other groups, we can now confirm the starting point and route for our protest march on April 18th ahead of the Manchester United game. The march will start from The Wolfpack Inn.

“For the first time, two sets of fans under the same ownership will come together, Chelsea and Strasbourg.

“Against multi-club ownership and the systematic destruction both clubs face at the hands of BlueCo / Clearlake.

“This is a peaceful march. Our voices will be heard, but this only works if it is done properly. Controlled and respectful.

“On the day, Chelsea and Strasbourg reps will be there to help organise things before we set off.

“Chants will be led and will be aimed at Blueco and Clearlake only. No chants about players, managers or other clubs. No distractions. One clear message.

“We will be marching behind one large Blueco Out banner. You can bring your own banners, but we encourage keeping the message focused on Blueco and Clearlake.

“We will walk towards Stamford Bridge from the Wolfpack Inn and finish at The Butcher’s Hook, the birthplace of our beautiful football club.

“If you cannot make the starting point, you can join along the route. Once we arrive, the protest will continue.”