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Liam Rosenior could make a wholesale changes to the Chelsea starting lineup on Saturday afternoon
Liam Rosenior could finally give Josh Acheampong an opportunity to impress when Chelsea face Wolves. The Blues could be without Reece James when they lock horns with Rob Edwards' side at Molineux on Saturday afternoon, as he continues to nurse a minor knock.
James failed a late fitness test ahead of the defeat to Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. Speaking to reporters at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, the Chelsea boss revealed that his skipper was in 'too much pain', so he was left out of the squad.
James returned to training at Cobham on Thursday morning for a recovery session. Rosenior kept his cards close to his chest in the pre-match press conference, claiming he and his staff would make a decision on the England international closer to the game.
With James potentially unavailable again, the Blues boss will have to pick between Malo Gusto and Acheampong at right-back. Seeing as the former has started each of the last three games and is unlikely to be risked, the latter could make just his second start under Rosenior.
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While Acheampong has featured much recently, he's certainly central to the Chelsea boss' plans. Last month, Rosenior insisted that the 19-year-old defender has a 'really bright future'.
Speaking to club media shortly after penning a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge, he said: "I've been so impressed with Josh so far in the last two games and in training. He's a very level-headed kid with a lot of humility, which is a great sign.
"The beautiful thing with Josh is that he can play five different positions. He can play on the left, he can play centre-back, he can play right centre-back, he can play midfield, he can play on the wing. That's a great thing to have for a player of his age and temperament.
"And I'm going to keep pushing him, and I'm going to keep demanding different things from him because he has a really, really bright future."
Rosenior continued: "When I was a player, the most important conversations I had were with senior players. I didn't listen as much to my coaches when I was a player as I hope my players do to me! I want that interaction between the group.
"If it's Josh speaking to Reece James, that is an unbelievable conversation with the experiences Reece has had. I want to encourage that interaction between the group, but I also want the players to feel confident enough in their own game and abilities to do that."
Towards the end of January, Acheampong was linked with a move away from Chelsea, but Rosenior was quick to rule out the teenager's departure. The Blues boss said: "Josh Acheampong is an outstanding player, a great talent. I want him with me."
football.london understands that the Cobham graduate had attracted interest from Crystal Palace, but Chelsea didn't entertain any offers as they viewed him, and still do, as a huge part of the club's plans.
Jason Cundy has previously likened Acheampong to Rio Ferdinand. Speaking on talkSPORT in October 2025, the pundit and former Blues defender said: "We’ve all seen Josh play right-back in the Conference League.
"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. 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."
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