{"id":765,"date":"2026-08-09T15:59:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T15:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=765"},"modified":"2026-08-09T15:59:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T15:59:35","slug":"why-xabi-alonso-will-feel-smug-about-josh-acheampong-after-stunning-rafael-leao-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=765","title":{"rendered":"Why Xabi Alonso will feel smug about Josh Acheampong after stunning Rafael Leao moment"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Josh Acheampong completed the entire 90 minutes as Chelsea stepped up their pre-season form with a stunning 3-0 win over Milan in Jakarta, and it will have Xabi Alonso feeling smug.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A brilliant win saw Alonso<\/a> switch to a 3-4-3 formation, and it paid off. Joao Pedro scored twice before Moises Caicedo scored a stunning outside-of-the-boot volley direct from a Romeo Lavia corner.<\/p>\n

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Josh Acheampong and Joao Pedro were brilliant vs AC Milan!<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Did anyone else catch your eye?<\/p>\n

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After defeats to Tottenham and Juventus, the win was exactly what Alonso needed to remind Chelsea<\/a> fans that he is going to turn things around. Of course, it is only pre-season, but the win will have felt good.<\/p>\n

Not least, because Alonso\u2019s Liverpool beat Milan back in 2005 in Istanbul. But so many things Alonso has put in place clicked against Milan, such as Austin MacPhee\u2019s arrival as set-piece coach and the system.<\/p>\n

Josh Acheampong proves Alonso right to make him \u2018untouchable\u2019<\/h2>\n

Earlier this summer, it was reported that Chelsea have seven \u2018untouchables\u2019<\/a> aside from new signings. The usual candidates were included, such as Reece James, Levi Colwill, Caicedo and playmaker Cole Palmer.<\/p>\n

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Joao Pedro was made \u2018untouchable\u2019 after a brief back-and-forth with Barcelona. Estevao remains one of the world\u2019s best teenage talents, but Acheampong<\/a> was the surprise seventh name on the list of players.<\/p>\n

Acheampong has struggled for game time over the last year. It has to be said that, when played, it\u2019s not as if his performances have been perfect. His mistake against Leeds last season saw Chelsea draw 2-2<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Even against Western Sydney in pre-season, he was poor. But on the right of a back three on Saturday, Acheampong was impeccable<\/a>. His tackle to stop Rafael Leao was one of the highlights of the 3-0 win.<\/p>\n

In that moment, stopping one of the world\u2019s quickest and most powerful wingers, Acheampong proved Alonso right \u2013 that he should be an untouchable, and it will have Alonso feeling smug about his decision.<\/p>\n

It was a tackle that immediately earned praise from Robert Sanchez and Wesley Fofana on the pitch. It showed Acheampong\u2019s potential, but proved Alonso is right to remain stubborn and keep Acheampong.<\/p>\n

Interest in Josh Acheampong is growing amid Chelsea game time<\/h2>\n

The issue for Acheampong is that he is not going to start, and without Europe, the amount of game time falls dramatically. Reece James and Maxence Lacroix will return from World Cup duty in the next week.<\/p>\n

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Which players would you sell to make up for Chelsea\u2019s spending? \ud83d\udcb8<\/h3>\n

Chavarria is expected to cost around \u00a321m with add-ons.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Whether the system is three at the back or four, Acheampong does not start either at right-back, right centre-back, or as one of two centre-backs. James will be Chelsea\u2019s starting option in two of those roles.<\/p>\n

If Alonso uses a back four, Lacroix and Colwill will start with James at right-back. In a three, James starts on the right of the three with Lacroix and Colwill the other defenders. He is not going to start matches.<\/p>\n

Despite being an \u2018untouchable\u2019, Acheampong will struggle to play even if his performance against Milan was excellent. Arsenal and Liverpool are the latest clubs to be linked with the Chelsea academy product<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There is no doubt that Chelsea will have a fight on their hands to keep him this month. But Alonso wants him to stay, and now the Milan performance will provide proof for Alonso as to why he should remain.<\/p>\n

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