Enzo Maresca praised Cobham graduate Josh Acheampong as Chelsea’s best performer in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late equaliser extended Chelsea’s winless run in the Premier League to four matches, cancelling out Cole Palmer’s clinical first-half opener after excellent skill from Jason Sancho on the left wing.
But it was the composed performance of Acheampong, making his full Premier League debut alongside Levi Colwill at the heart of Chelsea’s defence less than a month after signing a new long-term contract with the club, which most impressed Maresca on another frustrating day.
“All the players, for me, were good but if I had to decide for one, I think for sure, Josh was our best player because of his age, it was his first game,” Maresca said in his post-match press conference. “Josh, for me, can be a top player for this club but he needs the right path, the right moment; for young players, you need to decide which moment.
“We decided (to start him in this game) because we think he showed that he was ready. I think he showed how good he is. Because of his age, he needs to slow down, work hard and take his next chance.”
GO DEEPER
The Briefing: Crystal Palace 1 Chelsea 1 – Blip prolonged, Acheampong’s first start and what of that left flank?
Asked if his trust in Acheampong lessens the need for Chelsea to sign another senior centre-back in January, Maresca replied: “Even if we don’t decide to buy players or sell players because Josh has shown he is good, we already knew Josh was good enough.
“Probably with Wes (Fofana) and Benoit (Badiashile) injuries, we will see if something is going to happen (in January).”
Chelsea return to action when they host Morecambe in the FA Cup third round on January 11.
(BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
