With injuries decimating Chelsea’s first-team squad right now, the bench during yesterday’s Premier League match against Tottenham was filled mostly by academy players.
Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino watched his side record an important 2-0 home win over rivals Spurs, which does keep them in the race for the European positions.
It was a special fixture for a couple of Chelsea youngsters who were handed Premier League debuts.
First of all, Josh Acheampong, who’s only aged 17, came on late to help the Blues keep a clean sheet. It was an encouraging debut from the teenage right-back, his maiden first-team appearance for the club.
In addition, 20-year-old Chelsea prospect Jimi Tauriainen entered the action in stoppage time for his top-flight debut. His only previous cameo came in the FA Cup back in February.
Reece James applauds Chelsea youngster
Reece James, the Chelsea club captain, has already gone on the path from the academy at Cobham to the main squad at Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old star has uploaded a message on his Instagram story to congratulate Acheampong on achieving his first-team debut yesterday.
James wrote on Instagram: “Happy for you brother. @joshkofi2.”
Josh Acheampong should hope for more on Sunday
While Chelsea’s first-team numbers are so depleted right now, Pochettino has academy talents on the bench he may need to turn towards more regularly in the final four matches.
With Alfie Gilchrist tiring at full-back against Spurs, Acheampong did a good job replacing him late on.
So, will GIlchrist be ready to play 90 minutes on Sunday at home to West Ham? Our guess is he may be good for 75 minutes, which should open the door for supporters to get another look at Acheampong.
If we look even further forward into the future, could Acheampong emerge on the radar of clubs for a loan move next season with more senior minutes this month?