Former Chelsea player Jason Cundy has likened current Blue Josh Acheampong to a “young Rio Ferdinand” after his performance against Liverpool.Acheampong is another product of Chelsea’s famed Cob...
Former Chelsea player Jason Cundy has likened current Blue Josh Acheampong to a “young Rio Ferdinand” after his performance against Liverpool.
Acheampong is another product of Chelsea’s famed Cobham academy and was promoted to the first team squad last season.
The 19-year-old made 19 appearances in all competitions last season as Chelsea won both the Conference League and Club World Cup.
Jason Cundy likens Josh Acheampong to Rio Ferdinand
Acheampong has had to bide his time this season, and after starting against Crystal Palace on the opening day he didn’t feature again until the home defeat against Brighton.
However, somewhat of an injury crisis at centre back presented him with the chance to start against Liverpool, and the youngster put in an impressive performance alongside Benoit Badiashile.
Acheampong went off injured in the second half, but both he and Badiashile are reportedly fine and are likely to be in contention to feature against Nottingham Forest.
Acheampong impressed against Liverpool. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Cundy was full of praise for Acheampong after the Liverpool win, and he’s now likened the teenager to Rio Ferdinand.
“We’ve all seen Josh play right-back in the Conference League,” he told talkSPORT.
“I’ve seen him play centre midfield. I’ve seen him at centre-half. He has got many strings to his bow.
“The thing that really impressed me when he first really came to my attention in the first team was in the Conference League. We played away; I can’t remember who at, but he used to stride and gallop.
“It wasn’t a sprint because he’s got such long legs he would carry the ball.
“It reminded me, and this is high praise, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but a young Rio Ferdinand when I used to see him at West Ham when he first got in the first team.
“He would carry the ball. It would open up, and he would just travel, head up, and then pick the right pass.”
More opportunities for young Chelsea star?
Given Chelsea’s problems at centre back and Acheampong’s ability, Cundy also admitted he’s disappointed not to have seen more of the youngster.
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“He has got so much ability, and I’m a little disappointed, if I’m honest, that I haven’t seen more of him.
“I think we are now looking at a player that, [with] so many games coming up, is going to earn the trust of the manager. It takes time, I want to see more and more of him.”
Category: General Sports
