Xabi Alonso's Chelsea promise revealed after transfer meeting

17 Sept 2026 14:54 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Xabi Alonso reportedly promised to hand Josh Acheampong a prominent first-team role during a face-to-face meeting with his father this summer, following rumours that he could push to leave Chelsea before Deadline Day.

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Acheampong, 20, has been in the Chelsea first-team set-up for over two years, although he has failed to establish himself as a regular during that time and he has consistently been linked with an exit amid interest from a host of top European clubs.

Current ETV

Josh Acheampong

D (CR)

Chelsea

Josh Acheampong

D (CR)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€19.4M - €23.7M

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have been credited with interest in the England U21 international over the past few months, while it’s understood that Crystal Palace were eager to finalise a loan deal this summer.

However, talks between Alonso and Acheampong’s father took place before the start of the 2026-27 campaign, with the Spaniard communicating his desire to hand the 20-year-old a key role in his new-look Chelsea team.

That is according to Blues journalist Simon Phillips, who reports that Acheampong’s camp were willing to explore a permanent Stamford Bridge exit after growing frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities last season.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah were both ahead of the England youngster in the pecking order under both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, however Alonso reportedly offered assurances that Acheampong would receive significant game time this season and the defender ultimately decided to remain in west London.

So far this term, Acheampong has featured in five of Chelsea’s six matches across all competitions, playing the entire 90 minutes on four occasions, and he looks set to be a key part of Alonso’s squad for the foreseeable future.

Xabi Alonso on Josh Acheampong

When asked about Acheampong’s development in late August, Alonso told reporters: “With Josh, in pre-season we saw that he has been getting better and better.

“For me, when he plays with confidence and aggressiveness, he has a lot of attributes for a modern defender because he can play in different positions, he’s good with the ball, and he understands his role.

“I’ve seen a progression in these few weeks we have been together and he has played very solid games against Fulham and Luton. We are happy that he is feeling this way and we need to help him.

“There will be different moments in the season for sure, because we want to have healthy competition in all positions. But Josh is doing well and we’re happy for him, and he is happy as well.”

Acheampong has three years remaining on his current contract at Chelsea, and an imminent exit now looks highly unlikely.