Enzo Maresca claimed his “love” for Josh Acheampong after his performance in Chelsea's 3-0 win in Legia Warsaw on Thursday.
A dominant road victory in the first stage of their Conference League quarterfinals brought Chelsea full control over the draw.
This despite the fact that coach Maresca again shuffled his platoon for European action, teenagers Achampong and Tyrique George.
While George took his first Chelsea goal and opened the score for a Noni Madueke-Brace, it was the 18-year-old defender Acheampong who pulled Maresca's eye.
“The one I fall in love with tonight is Josh Acheampong,” said Maresca. “He can be a fantastic player for this club, a good player can play in different positions, and he showed that.
“Since we started, I am in love with him, but tonight he showed that he can be a very good player for this club.
“He can be good in different positions. The best for Josh is that he wants to learn openly:” Full-back? No problem, what should I do? “
1st leg ready pic.twitter.com/xxn4wbq1yi
– Josh ACEAMPONG (@_JoshacheeAmpong) 10 April 2025
On the 19-year-old George, who tapped a simple rebound after 49 minutes, Maresca said: “[I am] Happy First of all for the Chelsea Academy because he is one of our boys.
“He was pretty good in the first half and took responsibility. He was probably better in the middle.”
Maresca succeeded in finding a balance in his line-up, after he was criticized because he also mentioned a weakened XI in the aimless draw against Brentford last weekend.
“We were planning to try to have our best players for this game and to give the rest of the players opportunities to restore energy,” said Maresca.
“In general a professional achievement, a good result.”
While Chelsea is closing a semi -final against Djurgarden or Rapid Wien in the Conference League, Sunday's stalemate can still be expensive in their attempt to qualify for the Champions League of next season.
With five places that are now eligible for the elite competition of UEFA, Chelsea is fourth, on points on points with the fifth placed Newcastle United who played a match more.
Degradation-Vecht against Ipswich Town Visit this Sunday Stamford Bridge, but the Run-In van de Blues looks discouraging, with Newcastle and Liverpool under the sides they still have to play.
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