Callum O'Connell

Fri 22 August 2025 20:00, UK

Chelsea are still prepared to allow Josh Acheampong to leave on loan this summer despite losing Levi Colwill to a long-term injury blow.

That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 19-year-old has a number of suitors in the Premier League and abroad.

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The Blues are also aiming to bring in a new centre-back, which would accelerate the young defender’s chances of leaving on a short-term basis.

Brown told Football Insider last month that Chelsea are open to offers for Acheampong as he was considered unlikely to break into the first-team plans.

Colwill’s injury saw the England Under-20 international thrown into the starting XI against Crystal Palace, but has not altered their plans to move him on.

Enzo Maresca would prefer to bring in a new top-level centre-back after making clear his thoughts on the current options in his squad.

Josh Acheampong could leave Chelsea on loan.

(Credit: Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

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Acheampong enjoyed a successful performance against Palace on the opening day of the season, which has led to suggestions of an improved squad role.

However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted there is still a strong possibility the defender will leave on loan.

“I think Chelsea still want to send him on loan,” he told Football Insider.

“The plan was for him to go out and play somewhere else because he wasn’t expecting to get in the team other than being cover for Levi Colwill.

“Now Colwill’s picked up this injury, it might have changed the situation.

“The manager has been quite critical of his options at the back since that injury.

“I think in an ideal world, they would go an buy a top-class centre-back to come in and fill the gap that’s been left by Colwill.

“For now, Acheampong can do it and he looked like he played well against Palace.

Enzo Maresca still has decisions to make at Chelsea.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

“But I don’t think they see him as the fix to the issue they’ve got.

“I think if they can’t bring in somebody else, that might chance their position, but at the moment the plan is for him to go on loan if offers come in.

“I think there are a few clubs in the Premier League and in Europe having a look.

“It would benefit him to go and play where he knows he’s going to be part of the starting XI, and it would help Chelsea too in the long run.

“But plans can change, so good luck to the lad.”

Acheampong may not be the only player to leave Stamford Bridge, with Christopher Nkunku likely to move on as Maresca eyes a late clear-out of his squad.

Brown told Football Insider on 19 August that Nkunku wants to return to the Bundesliga with both Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig tracking his situation.

Christopher Nkunku is expected to leave Chelsea.

(Credit: Imago)

The 27-year-old has made clear his desire to move on while he is not seen as part of the Blues’ long-term plans, with a move expected to be agreed “soon”.

Brown first told Football Insider in April that Nkunku is eyeing a return to the Bundesliga and will “definitely” leave Chelsea before the window closes.

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