Acheampong earns regular Chelsea starts with no new contract talks under way

Josh Acheampong has started six of Chelsea's past nine matches in all competitions, but discussions over a new contract are not currently active, according to BBC Sport. The 20-year-old defender is under contract until 2029 and has received an extended run in the team under manager Xabi Alonso.

Watch the highlights:

BBC Sport reported that Acheampong has played 581 minutes under Alonso, a total exceeded by only Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix. His recent involvement also extends to international football: he has started eight of England Under-21s' past 10 matches. He has been at Chelsea since the club's under-eight age group.

Acheampong has been playing alongside Colwill and Lacroix in a three-man defence, with a role that allows him to advance into midfield or move towards the flank when Chelsea have possession. He combined with right wing-back Pedro Neto in the build-up to Joao Pedro's goal against Bournemouth. Wesley Fofana has been kept out of the starting side during this run.

Chelsea's defensive results have improved alongside that more settled selection. After conceding a league-high 12 goals before the international break, they have allowed only one since, according to the report. Saturday's visit to Everton produced their first clean sheet of the season. Alonso has attributed the improvement to the team collectively, with Moises Caicedo returning from injury and partnering Jordan Henderson in midfield.

Acheampong's current agreement was signed in December 2024 after negotiations during which Chelsea withdrew him from selection for both academy and first-team matches. BBC Sport reports that his representatives remain cautious about entering fresh negotiations until his position as a regular starter is clearer. No new agreement has been announced, and his increased playing time has not yet led to active contract discussions.

The defender is one of three Chelsea centre-backs whose deals will enter their final two years next summer, alongside Colwill and Fofana. Chelsea sold Trevoh Chalobah to Como and Tosin Adarabioyo to Tottenham this summer after those players reached the same contractual stage. For Acheampong, the immediate development is on the pitch: a sustained sequence of starts under Alonso while his existing contract remains in place.