Josh Acheampong on his Chelsea future, ‘Uncle Tosin’, and Maresca’s high praise | OneFootball

Josh Acheampong insists he is only focused on Chelsea amid speculation around his future.

Acheampong only made his first Premier League start for the club in January this year but has had a huge impact, especially on manager Enzo Maresca.

The Italian said he was “in love” with the defender after the Europa Conference League tie against Legia Warsaw, and he has featured fairly regularly since then.

Despite his quick ascension into the first team, Acheampong says he has not been intimidated playing with so many star names, and praised the help Cobham graduates like Reece James and Trevor Chalobah have given him.

“No, I’m not starstruck,” he said.

“I don’t really look at them as big names. I just look at them as my team-mates. So they’re all really nice. I’d say all the Cobham boys have been really supportive because they’ve done their journey recently. So everyone has been supportive.”

Acheampong says that the kind words from his manager have also helped him to flourish.

“I think it’s important to get the trust from the manager,” he said. “Every time I play, I want to do as well as I can.”

Acheampong is part of a young Chelsea squad, with team-mate Tosin Adarabioyo, 27, among the most senior members.

Many Chelsea players have cited Tosin as a leader and mentor, and they have lovingly coined him ‘Uncle Tosin’.

On who has helped him the most, Acheampong echoed his team-mates: “Tosin, I’d say. He’s the oldest in the team. He gives me advice if I need to ask him any questions. He’ll get me in the gym and stuff like that, so he’s good. Yeah, Uncle Tosin.”

The 19-year-old has been linked with a move away, with Borussia Dortmund among those interested, but he insists he is just thinking about Chelsea: “Enzo (Maresca) said he thinks I’m a good player. I love the club, so I always want to stay at Chelsea and just show what I can do.

“I don’t really think about my future. I just want to win the next game and do as well as we can. I don’t really look at it. I don’t really pay attention to any of that. I just focus on my football. Hopefully we win our next game and win the tournament.”

Maresca has also been adamant that he wants to keep Acheampong at the club, saying: “The clubs that you mentioned, they like Josh, but we also like Josh.

“Any club likes good players. My plan with Josh is quite clear. I said many times that I really like Josh.

“I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club. It’s on him to have the right timing to do the things. We are full of young players here, full of talented players, even defenders. So I think the best plan for Josh is to be with us and I’m very happy if he’s going to be with us.”

Chelsea have Palmeiras in the quarter-final of the Club World Cup and a win would see them face either Al Hilal or Fluminense for a place in the final.