Chelsea starlet Josh Acheampong has reportedly been told he will be excluded from first team and U21 action until he puts pen to paper on a new deal.
Acheampong’s current contract expires in 2026 and talks over an extension are ongoing.
He was regarded as the team’s third choice right-back during pre-season, behind skipper Reece James and Malo Gusto.
The 18-year-old’s progress is believed to have been a reason why the Blues were not too concerned by missing out on the signing of Pedro Lima.
However, Acheampong was nowhere to be seen in the squad last month when both Gusto and James were out with Enzo Maresca opting to play centre-backs at full-back instead.
The English youngster featured just once for Maresca as a substitute against Barrow in the Carabao Cup on September 24 and has not made a matchday squad since.
He has also not made an appearance for the Under-21s during that time despite starting four of their opening five games of the season.
The Athletic claim to have been told by sources close to the situation that ‘Acheampong’s omission is due to the contract talks stalling and the club have told him the situation will not change unless he extends’.
The report adds that a number of big clubs have shown interest in a January move for the player but Chelsea do not want to sell.
