Chelsea have made it clear that certain players remain central to their long-term plans, with one academy graduate continuing to attract attention following a summer of transfer speculation.

To maintain continuity and stability, the Blues have a select group of untouchables who are immediately deemed not for sale due to how important they are to the club.

The most recent ‘untouchable’ list over the summer included the likes of Moisés Caicedo, Cole Palmer and João Pedro, all of whom have recently signed contract extensions.

One player who has also been deemed ‘untouchable’ is Chelsea academy graduate Josh Acheampong.

Acheampong, whose contract runs until June 2029, had been subject to regular transfer speculation. However, the Blues have kept their word, and he remains an integral part of Xabi Alonso’s plans.

Among the clubs interested in signing the England U21 defender over the summer was Manchester United. According to Alex Crook, the Red Devils were among those making enquiries.

Reflecting how highly Chelsea value the 20-year-old, the report states that Acheampong is expected to be the next player at Stamford Bridge to be offered a contract extension.

Since the international break, the English defender has started in both victories over Bournemouth and Everton, with the Blues conceding just one goal in the process.

His inclusion has also seen a calmer and more cohesive backline, aided by midfielder Moisés Caicedo returning from injury to shield the defence.

Prior to the Bournemouth game, which took place on October 10, Alonso was asked by reporters how he viewed the defender’s role in his plans.

Alonso replied: “He has taken a step forward. He is playing more maturely and more aggressively, and is knowing what it takes to compete in the Premier League.”

Acheampong has backed up the manager’s praise by playing every available minute since those comments. His progress could offer encouragement to both Geovany Quenda and Estêvão Willian, who have both struggled for game time so far but have also received praise from the boss in the past.

The club’s hierarchy will be keen to tie down Acheampong. Centre-backs have become increasingly difficult to find on the transfer market in recent seasons, and given that the academy graduate can play on both sides of the defence, as well as at right-back, his profile is unique.

Vice-captain Levi Colwill continues to work his way back to full fitness following an ACL injury sustained on the eve of the 2025/26 season. With the club needing to be careful, defensive depth is critical to coping with an often-congested calendar. 

The Blues will also be mindful that the 23-year-old’s contract expires in 2029, although the club does have the option to extend it by a further year if necessary.

Another defender approaching the latter stages of his contract is Wesley Fofana. The French defender signed a seven-year contract in 2022 following his £70 million move from Leicester City.

The 25-year-old will have two and a half seasons remaining on his current contract in January. Given his reported high wages and injury record, it seems that an extension is not in the pipeline at this time.

With the futures of several central defenders uncertain, Chelsea will be keen to resolve their contract situations sooner rather than later. The club will want to avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous ownership, when both Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen departed on free transfers after failing to agree new contracts.

Future options appear to be taking shape, with Maxence Lacroix recently joining and Honest Ahanor set to join next summer. The hierarchy at Stamford Bridge will be looking to tie down Acheampong to ward off interest from Premier League rivals who could look to capitalise on any uncertainty.