Josh Acheampong U-turn: Andoni Iraola the perfect manager to halt Chelsea gem’s exit
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Credit: Rising Ballers YouTube / Imago Thu 23 April 2026 9:00, UK Josh Acheampong may have only needed to outwait Liam Rosenior to get his stalling Chelsea career back on the right track.Despite emerging as one of the Blues’ brightest players this season, scoring his second goal of the campaign against Wrexham in the FA Cup, his minutes in the senior team have dwindled.Even with Reece James sidelined and Malo Gusto rarely impressing, the 19-year-old hasn’t started a game in any competition since the 4-2 win at the SToK Cae Ras at the beginning of March.Rosenior clearly had something against the teenager over the last few weeks, leaving those at Stamford Bridge baffled, and Acheampong wanting to leave Chelsea in the summer window. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Josh Acheampong is already highly rated across EuropeFootball Insider understands that Newcastle United are eyeing Acheampong, with Man City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich all keeping tabs on the talented defender ahead of the upcoming window.At such a young age, a move across the Premier League, rather than around Europe, would make much more sense, but the Blues might be able to convince him to stay with the right manager appointment.Andoni Iraola is now the favourite to succeed Rosenior, with the manager set to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, and he could be just who the 19-year-old needs to revitalise his career.Josh Acheampong’s 2025-26 Premier LeagueStats [FotMob]Minutes played584Goals | Assists1 | 0Passing accuracy92.7%Chances created2Successful dribbles76.9%Tackles per 901.54Interceptions per 901.54Supporters would be absolutely furious to see one of their most promising academy graduates have to leave because of a lack of game time, but that would be unlikely under Iraola’s leadership.Andoni Iraola could be the perfect Liam Rosenior replacementWith Iraola in charge, the Cherries are currently ninth in the Premier League table, within touching distance of European qualification, and the manager has caught a lot of attention.The likes of Illia Zabarnyi, 23, Milos Kerkez, 22, and Dean Huijsen, 21, all played huge roles before their exits, with the Spaniard now bringing in a new selection of youngsters at the Vitality Stadium.Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan, both 19 years of age, are being given precious minutes this season, with the former even reaching 10 goals in just his first campaign in England.These are all good signs for the exit-linked Acheampong, who shows a lot of promise, but appears to have been shunned by the now-sacked manager in recent weeks. 🦁 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Chelsea Insider Access Get the full story from Stamford Bridge and Cobham with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from West London.