The January transfer window isn’t too far away now, and we are slowly getting exciting transfer rumours. As we indulge in some of the most notable ones, one rumour that is standing out is about Josh Acheampong. The rumour primarily centers around Fiorentina, the Serie-A side, reportedly bringing in Josh Acheampong to replace another former Chelsea man, Tariq Lamptey. The replacement is citing injury for Lamptey. To describe in detail about Josh Acheampong, he has mainly played at central defense for Chelsea this season. But because of his versatility, the 21-year-old can also slide into the right-back spot and play comfortably.
Josh Acheampong this season
We all know the kind of squad Chelsea have up their sleeve, a kind of squad that has at least two players for one position. A luxury like no other, with depth all over, but the same luxury is sometimes costing the blues badly. One such example? Acheampong himself. The lad is just 19, but he has been around the Chelsea senior team for three seasons now, and he is yet to fully develop. We have witnessed this developmental issue with this Chelsea squad and multiple youngsters in their squad. They get signed young, under severe media pressure, straightaway exposed to the lights of Stamford Bridge. It perhaps, is a bit too overwhelming for the young players in their squad.
The problem is evident simply because of how talented the likes of Acheampong are, but they somehow aren’t developing the way they should be. Consequently, they get shipped off to other leagues, still young and talented but with a heavy damage to their mentality and confidence.
Acheampong has been on and off this season with the quality of his game. But that would largely be because how his time on the pitch has also been painfully on and off.
Fiorentina calling for Josh Acheampong
After this whole “on and off” season so far with the blues of London, the Fiorentina link might actually refresh Acheampong a bit. Of course, the Serie-A is no Premier League, and Fiorentina is no Chelsea. But this might genuinely rejuvenate the youngster’s career trajectory. The prospect of getting more game time to shine, and most importantly a heavy burden of pressure being lifted off. The 21-year-old could rediscover himself.
Now on the other hand, Fiorentina will also welcome the English youth player with wide-open arms. Such a young, sensational talent being added to their ranks is going to do wonders for the Italian side. Moreover, this whole transfer saga is most likely triggered because of an injury. Yes, an injury, funnily, to a former Chelsea man Tariq Lamptey. Lamptey covers a similar position to Acheampong, so Fiorentina would feel the latter would fit in perfectly.
Chelsea fans furious
Oh boy, the fans from Stamford Bridge are not happy one bit about Josh Acheampong being shipped off to Italy. By now, despite the various positive results that manager Enzo Maresca has been generating for Chelsea, there are various other areas that would anger a Chelsea fan. One of the main reasons, as it was discussed above, is how the squad is shaping up. Especially the way young talents are being made to warm the bench.
Now, one can’t be playing all the players in the squad. But better squad management? That would be something the fans could expect well and truly. Selling Josh would be extremely personal for them as well, simply because he is an academy product. Academy-grown talents are always very close to the heart for the fans, so this deal is definitely going to spark heavy backlash, if it eventually goes through obviously.
Conclusion
Fiorentina would love to see this deal go through, as they will be the clear winner through this transfer. However, Chelsea must really rethink about selling Josh Acheampong and should look to hold on to him, come January.
