Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong open up on 'surreal' rise from Chelsea academy to Conference League final against Real Betis
Updated 27/05/2025 at 17:23 GMT+1
Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong spoke about their journey from the Chelsea academy to the UEFA Conference League final. Both have played a key role in The Blues' Conference League campaign, which culminates in the competition's final against Real Betis on Wednesday in Poland’s Stadion Miejski. Enzo Maresca has used the competition to blood a spate of youngsters.
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Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong opened up on their "surreal" rise from the Chelsea academy to the UEFA Conference League final.
Chelsea take on Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday in Poland’s Stadion Miejski, with the game live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Since the competition’s inaugural league stage back in September, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has used the Conference League as a means of blooding youngsters from The Blues’ highly rated academy.
And few players have made a bigger impression from the academy than defender Acheampong and winger George.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the Conference League final, George said: "It would be surreal to win a trophy. Coming from so young as an eight-year-old and working all the way up, it would be amazing.
On the academy being given a chance, George continued: "We’re just all really close. We like to play with [the first team] and train with them as well. It’s really nice.
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"All the first team are really nice. They’re all really young as well. They all give me advice and tell me to work hard every day.
"My general life hasn’t changed. But playing with the first-team - that’s changed quite a bit. I’m taking it day by day and enjoying it."
George has claimed two goals and five assists in his 24 appearances across all competitions this term.
Indeed, as per the BBC, his strike against Fulham saw the 19-year-old become Chelsea's youngest goalscorer in the Premier League since Callum Hudson-Odoi scored against Burnley in 2020.
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George’s fellow academy graduate Acheampong added: "Me and Tyrique have been together all our academy journey, so doing it with him and the other academy boys has been really good.
"Reece James being the captain and seeing that we play in the same position has been a good role model for me."
But even at the tender age of 19, Acheampong added that he was trying to be a role model for players younger than him who are also breaking into the first team.
In the first leg of their 5-1 aggregate victory over Djurgarden in the Conference League semi-final, 16-year-old Reggie Walsh became the club's youngest European starter and third-youngest ever player.
On Walsh, Acheampong remarked: "I remember someone asked me a question the other day on if I’d seen Reggie play, and I was like, ‘He’s a bit younger than me!’
"It’s mad to think that, but I try to help him if I can."
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