"What We Want" - Xabi Alonso Delivers Verdict On Young Defender As Chelsea Consider Loan Exit

Xabi Alonso has insisted he is happy with Josh Acheampong, who has been linked with a potential loan exit this summer.

Chelsea rate Acheampong very highly, and it is clear why. The 20-year-old is versatile, has the physical and technical attributes for senior football despite his age, and graduated from the club’s academy. He ticks a lot of boxes for the club.

However, regardless of how much he could learn from being in a top-level environment at Chelsea, he needs minutes on the pitch to fulfil his potential. This is what Chelsea cannot easily offer to a developing player.

Since his official first-team promotion back in December 2024, Acheampong has featured 50 times for Chelsea across all competitions. Most of these were as a substitute, with only 24 starts (10 in the Premier League) during this period. 

This may improve this season under new manager Alonso, but it is unlikely to be anything significant. The additional centre-back slot in the manager’s back-three system could benefit Acheampong.

While Acheampong made the starting line-up in Chelsea’s season-opener win over Fulham on Monday, Wesley Fofana’s suspension certainly played a big part.

Where does Acheampong even sit in Chelsea’s centre-back pecking order?

Levi Colwill and summer signing Maxence Lacroix are certainly ahead of him, and likely Fofana, too. But is he ahead of Reece James for the right centre-back spot?

The Daily Mail recently claimed that Chelsea have been considering whether to keep the young defender in the squad despite not being a regular starter yet or sanction a loan.

Earlier this month, Frank Lampard’s Coventry City were reported to show interest in Acheampong.

Chelsea and Acheampong will have plenty of options if he were to leave on loan, so this should not be an issue.

What does Alonso think about this matter? The Spaniard’s recent comment suggests that while the club have yet to make a decision on a potential loan, he is pleased with what he has seen from Acheampong.

“He played really well (vs Fulham), against Milan and Real Sociedad as well," said Alonso in Wednesday’s press conference when asked about Acheampong’s possible loan exit.

"We are really happy with Josh. We need to check, but we are happy with his level, and at the moment, he is playing with confidence, and that's what we want for Josh.”

There is also the question of whether Chelsea would need to bring in a replacement if they let Acheampong leave on loan.

Alonso already made it clear he wants “four to five” centre-backs in his squad this season, and Acheampong is currently one of them, alongside Lacroix, Colwill, Fofana, and Aaron Anselmino.

Jorrel Hato and Reece James, who are primarily full-backs, may provide additional cover for these centre-back positions. James was deployed as a midfielder against Fulham.

Tosin Adarabioyo has been training separately from the main first-team group and is expected to leave this summer. Meanwhile, Mamadou Sarr has joined Spanish side Real Sociedad on loan.

So, it's become more than whether a loan would benefit Acheampong more than staying. Acheampong has become a valuable member of the squad. His loan exit would leave a hole in Alonso’s plans, and there is not much time to manoeuvre in this transfer window.