Chelsea have told Josh Acheampong he won’t play for the club until he signs a new contract, talkSPORT understands.
The Blues starlet is one of the most highly-rated youngsters at their Cobham academy but now faces an uncertain future.
Acheampong made his second ever appearances for Chelsea last monthGetty
It is understood the teenage right-back, whose current deal runs until 2026, has been informed of the conditions around his Stamford Bridge exile.
The 18-year-old will not play for the Blues’ first-team or development side until his long-term future at the west London club is secured.
He has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool but talkSPORT understands the Chelsea hierarchy do not want to sell him.
Rival clubs may find it difficult to properly scout the youngster anyway, following recent news Liverpool and another big Premier League rival club have been banned from attending Chelsea youth team games over the Reds’ swoop for ex-Blues youngster Rio Ngumoha.
Acheampong has made two senior appearances for the club, with his debut coming last season under Mauricio Pochettino.
The youngster was brought on as a late substitute in their 2-0 Premier League win at home to Tottenham.
He remained as an unused substitute in four other matches across all competitions during the campaign before Pochettino’s summer exit.
Current boss Enzo Maresca brought the teen ace on for the final 27 minutes of Chelsea’s 5-0 thrashing of Barrow in the Carabao Cup third round.
Acheampong was also named on the bench in their UEFA Conference League qualifying second leg tie against Servette in August.
Most of his minutes this season have come for Chelsea’s U21 side in Premier League 2 where he has one assist in three appearances.
Acheampong is a huge talent but must agree to a new deal before playing againGetty
He featured nine times in the U18 in the previous campaign, as well as in the FA Youth Cup, before going on the first-team’s pre-season tour in the summer.
Chelsea currently have Reece James and Malo Gusto as their right-back options in the senior side.
The former is club captain but has spent the majority of the season out injured and only returned in their 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.
Gusto filled in during his absence, although Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana have also featured there.
James and Gusto remain key members of Maresca’s squad meaning Acheampong’s chance of more first-team minutes could be limited.
He is also an England international at youth level having played for their all of their sides from the U16s to U20s.
