Former Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard made a memorable return to Stamford Bridge yesterday as he attended the Blues’ first Premier League fixture of the 2025/26 season against Crystal Palace. Unfortunately for the home supporters, the clash ended in a frustrating 0-0 stalemate, with many fans voicing disappointment over Chelsea’s lack of creativity and finishing in attack.
Despite the underwhelming result, Hazard chose not to dwell on the negatives. Instead, he highlighted one shining positive from the encounter—the standout display of academy graduate Josh Acheampong.
At just 19 years old, Acheampong delivered a performance full of maturity and composure in central defence. Hazard, who is still adored by Chelsea fans for his legendary spell at the club, was quick to heap praise on the youngster. After the match, the Belgian spoke highly of the defender, stating: “Nineteen years of age, still much room for improvement, but he is already a superb defender in the making.”
His words emphasized both the promise and the maturity Acheampong showed on such an important stage, fueling further belief among fans that the teenager could soon become a cornerstone of the club’s future.
Acheampong’s statistics against Palace backed up Hazard’s assessment. He completed the full 90 minutes, producing an impressive passing accuracy of 93% after successfully delivering 81 of his 87 attempted passes. Defensively, he was equally dominant—winning both of his tackles, coming out on top in four of five ground duels, and making five crucial clearances along with four ball recoveries.
Just as impressively, he avoided conceding a single foul, displaying discipline and calmness well beyond his years. For a player at the beginning of his senior career, such numbers reflect both his confidence and his technical quality.
Chelsea supporters quickly took to social media to celebrate Acheampong’s performance, echoing Hazard’s sentiments. Many hailed him as the team’s best player on the night, arguing that his positional awareness and composure under pressure were exactly what Enzo Maresca’s defensive system required.
While Chelsea’s attackers failed to find a breakthrough against Palace’s resilient backline, it was Acheampong’s assured display that ensured the Blues left with a clean sheet rather than a damaging defeat. Fans believe that if the young defender is given consistent playing time and proper guidance, he has the potential to grow into one of the most dependable centre-backs in the league.
For Chelsea, the emergence of a talent like Acheampong is a silver lining in an otherwise uninspiring evening. Hazard’s endorsement carries significant weight, and his recognition of the defender’s ability has further strengthened fan confidence in the youngster’s bright future.
Though the opening day ended without goals, the 19-year-old’s performance provided optimism that the club’s academy continues to produce players capable of stepping into the senior setup.
As the Maresca era unfolds, all eyes will now be on Acheampong to see whether he can cement his place in the starting XI and become a key figure in Chelsea’s defensive structure.
If Hazard’s prediction is accurate, Acheampong could soon evolve into one of the most vital players at Stamford Bridge, symbolizing both the strength of the club’s academy system and the tactical discipline of their new manager.
