From a wide-eyed Under-8 hopeful to a confident member of the senior squad, Acheampong has been on a transformative journey through the ranks at Cobham. Gifted with natural technical ability and the versatility to feature in multiple defensive positions, the 18-year-old has proved himself a coach’s dream throughout the years.

Making his debut for the Blues three days before his 18th birthday during our 2-0 win over Tottenham back in May 2024, the youngster has climbed the ranks with impressive work on and off the pitch.

With further chances awarded in the Conference League and a first Premier League start against Crystal Palace in which supporters voted him as Player of the Match, Josh has showcased a maturity beyond his years earning a new deal in December.

Reflecting on the growth he’s undergone on both sides of the white line, the young defender has endured plenty of challenges along the way, but the invaluable support he’s received from team-mates, coaches and family has helped him seize his opportunity under Enzo Maresca.

‘I’m a lot more confident now and I enjoy my football a lot more,’ Acheampong opens. ‘When you’re younger, you’re always trying to get to the next age group, and there’s a lot of pressure on you. I’m more mature now, and right now, I’m really enjoying my football.

‘Now that I have this opportunity, I’m working hard every day. The older players remind me why I’m here and push me to stay focused. If I don’t do something, they’re on me straight away.

‘Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marcus Bettinelli, and Levi Colwill – they’re all really encouraging and help out a lot.’

Another important figure in Josh’s recent rise is head coach Maresca, whose detailed approach and tactical thinking have left a lasting impression.

‘I really like Enzo,’ says Josh. ‘The detail he goes into on the pitch is fantastic, but off the pitch, he’s really nice and encouraging.

‘He wants me to show my personality on and off the pitch. He tells me to be confident whether that’s at lunch, sitting with the players, or on the pitch, being brave and showing what I can do.’

Having made the move to the first-team dressing room at Cobham alongside fellow Academy graduate and close friend Tyrique George, Acheampong admits that in an environment filled with top-level talent, competition is a fierce but motivating factor.

‘You can’t slack,’ he says. ‘The players are so good, you can’t afford to. It definitely helps me raise my game to another level.

‘You never know when that opportunity is going to come. The Palace game, for example, I didn’t think I’d start a game so soon. But when it came, I had to be ready.’

On that special occasion against the Eagles, the defender explains it was a moment that he embraced with composure and assurance thanks to his hard work.

‘I was told I was starting the night before,’ he says. ‘I slept fine – one thing about me is I always sleep, no matter what happens!

‘I was really excited but treated it like another game. I felt ready, and I was happy with my performance. Unfortunately, we couldn’t come away with the win, but overall, it was a great experience. My mum and dad were there which made it even more special.’

Josh now has his eyes fixed on one thing, and that’s victory against Wolves on Monday night. He added: ‘Hopefully, we can come away with a win. As a team, we’ve been playing well, and I think we deserve it.

‘It’s like stepping stones. If we win, we never get too excited, and if we lose, we’re never too down. If we draw, there’s more we can do for the next game.’