Chelsea’s defensive injury crisis opened the door for 19-year-old Josh Acheampong, and the teenager grabbed his chance to shine against Liverpool. Deployed at right centre-back alongside Benoît Badiashile, Acheampong produced a calm, composed performance that caught the eye of Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards on The Rest Is Football.
All three hailed the defender’s maturity in what was his first major test in a Chelsea shirt, only regretting his early withdrawal due to a precautionary injury.
Acheampong’s display came at a time when Enzo Maresca’s options at the back were heavily depleted, with Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo all unavailable.
Lineker and Shearer praise Acheampong’s composure
On the podcast, Lineker opened the discussion: “I’ll tell you who I like, Acheampong.” Richards immediately agreed, while Shearer added: “Yeah, he did well, didn’t he?”
“It was a shame he went off injured in the end, but I mean, very assured, first time I’ve watched him in a big game and I thought, we like that.” — Gary Lineker
Shearer echoed the sentiment: “When you consider the injuries, particularly defensively that Chelsea had, for him to come in and step up like he did. I was impressed with him. He had a good game.”
Even Richards, while joking about his fantasy team frustrations, admitted he was impressed by the youngster’s poise under pressure.
Injury fears eased for Chelsea
Acheampong’s evening ended after 68 minutes, raising fears Chelsea might suffer yet another setback at centre-back. But goalkeeping coach Willy Caballero, speaking in Maresca’s absence, moved quickly to reassure fans.
“The two central defenders, it was just prevention. They made a great effort today, but just prevention. We spoke with them already and they said that they are okay, so it is good for us,” Caballero confirmed after the 2-1 win over Liverpool.
That update means Acheampong is expected to be available after the international break, a huge boost given Chelsea’s already stretched defensive resources.
Josh Acheampong 2025/26 stats against Liverpool
| Stat (2025/26) | Josh Acheampong |
|---|---|
| Interception | 1 |
| Aerial duels (won) | 1/1 |
| Minutes Played | 68 vs Liverpool |
| Possession lost | 10 |
source: sofascore & Chelsea FC – 4 October 2025
Acheampong’s composure in a high-pressure clash suggests Chelsea may have unearthed another homegrown gem.
Analyst verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William said Acheampong showed qualities beyond his years: “Centre-back is a position where mistakes are costly, but Acheampong’s positioning and calm distribution against Liverpool were exceptional. For pundits like Lineker and Shearer to agree so strongly speaks volumes.”
He added: “With Chelsea’s long injury list, Acheampong could be vital over the coming months. If he continues to develop at this pace, he could cement himself as a first-team option rather than a stop-gap.”
Key insights
- Lineker and Shearer both praised Acheampong’s assured display vs Liverpool.
- Richards also impressed, despite joking about fantasy football frustrations.
- Acheampong left the match after 68 minutes but injury fears were allayed.
- Caballero confirmed it was “just prevention” and he’ll return post-break.
- Chelsea’s defensive depth is under strain, making Acheampong’s rise crucial.
What’s next for Acheampong and Chelsea?
With an international break providing a pause, Acheampong has time to recover and prepare for Chelsea’s next set of fixtures. If he is fit, Maresca could look to give him further minutes as the Blues juggle league and European commitments.
For Chelsea fans, the hope is that Acheampong’s Liverpool display was a sign of things to come. With Lineker and Shearer both impressed, the teenager has already proven he belongs at the highest level.
👉 Could Josh Acheampong become Chelsea’s next breakthrough star in defence?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 6 Oct 2025 10:52
Im sorry but there;s nothing special about this kid. With all respect, but it doenst look that great and he cost us the game against Brighton.
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