(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Imago)

Oliver Walton

Fri 15 August 2025 20:45, UK

Bournemouth’s defensive desperations have been highlighted with a number of offers now sent to Chelsea to sign young centre-back Josh Acheampong this summer.

The stats behind Josh Acheampong's pre-season as Chelsea opportunity beckons	'Won't play': Andoni Iraola confirms Bournemouth player who was 'amazing' last season is injured for tonight	Iraola: It's challenging and exciting to be apart of season opener

Bournemouth enjoyed a stellar 2024/25 campaign under Andoni Iraola as they finished in ninth place and reached the FA Cup quarter-finals, but their squad has been picked apart this summer ahead of the new season.

Key centre-back Dean Huijsen has joined Real Madrid, while Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi have each moved to Liverpool and PSG respectively, and Iraola has yet to fully replace them with Bafode Diakite in from Lille and Adrien Truffert from Rennes.

(Credit: Imago)

Those exits, as well as Kepa’s return to Chelsea from his loan spell, have left him short at the back as the Cherries aim to build on their success last term and qualify for Europe this season, although Djordje Petrovic has come the opposite way from Stamford Bridge to go in goal.

Bournemouth are taking on Liverpool on Friday (15 August) in the opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, and they are trying to have more incomings over the line for next week’s clash against Wolves.

Acheampong broke through into Chelsea’s first-team squad last season to make 13 appearances in all competitions under Enzo Maresca.

Former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in July that Chelsea are set to accept offers for Acheampong this summer amid interest from Tottenham and Newcastle, and now the Cherries have put their case forward with numerous approaches for the 19-year-old.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

The Sun (15 August) have revealed that Bournemouth have made two moves to land Acheampong recently, with Iraola facing a “full-blown defensive crisis” and making the defender his “top priority.”

Their numerous defensive exits have seen the club wanting a permanent deal struck for the 19-year-old, but Chelsea are only believed to be open to allowing him to leave on loan this summer.

Football Insider verdict

Acheampong is clearly highly-rated by Maresca, after he took him to the Club World Cup earlier this summer despite his lack of experience, but a loan spell away from West London would likely help him develop better than staying at Chelsea.

With that said, the Blues seem unlikely to want to let him go anytime soon due to the Italian boss’ own defensive troubles after Levi Colwill recently suffered an ACL injury to sideline him for the 2025/26 season.

AppearancesGoalsAssists4322Levi Colwill’s 2024/25 stats

Chelsea have brought in Jorrel Hato and have Trevoh Chalobah back fit to play alongside Tosin Adarabioyo, but Benoit Badiashile is still unfit and Renato Veiga looks set to leave soon, so Acheampong could well be kept on as their fourth centre-back option for the time being.

The Stamford Bridge outfit understandably do not want to let him leave on a permanent deal, given his potential to be a key man in the years to come, but even a loan exit seems unlikely right now, which will serve as a huge blow to the Cherries.

Related Posts


For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.