Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will not risk the development of 18-year-old Josh Acheampong by pressing him into emergency service in his team’s injury-shot defence for the rest of the season.
Maresca is already without first-choice central defender Wesley Fofana possibly until next season, with the most senior direct replacement Benoit Badiashile out until at least February.
The club have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi while they also have the opportunity to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Selhurst Park.
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Academy graduate Acheampong was handed a full Premier League debut in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Palace after resolving a stand-off with the Blues over a contract dispute, during which club bosses had made him unavailable for selection.
The teenager impressed during the stalemate in south London, as he has when called upon in the Conference League this season, but Maresca said that due to his age he cannot be considered a solution to the injury crisis, heightening the probability of the club entering the January market.
“He’s ready,” said Maresca. “The reason we gave him a chance against Palace is because we think he is ready. He showed how good he is.
“Because of his personal issues, contract problems, that was the reason we were not using Josh. Then the moment everything was solid, we started to use him.
“He’s shown how good he is. But to rely on 18-year-old players for all the season probably is not the correct thing. They need to do the right path, and the right path can be tomorrow’s game or Tuesday’s game.
“But for sure, doing the right things he’s a player that can be in this club for many years.”
Acheampong could be in line for a second consecutive start in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round meeting with Morecambe at Stamford Bridge.
In all he has made five senior appearances since his debut as a substitute against Tottenham in May.
It was confirmed in December that he had signed a new contract until 2029 having previously u-turned on what the club had understood to be a verbal agreement.
A versatile defender who can play either centrally or on the right, his full debut came against Astana in Kazakhstan in the Conference League before Christmas.
“I’m not saying he’s not ready,” said Maresca. “If he’s not ready he would not get the chance against Palace. But to use a player who is 18 for every game until the end of the season, I think we put on him too much pressure. I think that’s not correct.”
The head coach said that defender Renato Veiga is not a player the club are looking to offload despite limited Premier League playing time.
The 21-year-old, who can play either in the centre or on the left, joined from Basel in the summer and has made seven league appearances, mainly as a substitute.
“Renato is our player, tomorrow he is going to play,” said Maresca. “He’s a player that we are happy to have with us.”
