Former Chelsea defender and now popular pundit Jason Cundy has named the Blues’ player of the season so far. Despite some disappointing results, including an unfortunate penalty shootout defeat in the EFL Cup, Xabi Alonso’s side have made a solid start.

The Blues are fourth in the Premier League table with 15 points from nine games after beating Manchester United last weekend. £117 million summer signing Morgan Rogers has been a revelation in attack, but Cundy believes another player has been even more impressive in 2026/27.

Jason Cundy explains why Josh Acheampong has been Chelsea’s player of the season

Jason Cundy has named 20-year-old defender Josh Acheampong Chelsea’s best player so far in the 2026/27 season. The academy graduate has started six of the Blues’ nine league games and all three EFL Cup matches.

While Chelsea’s defensive record has not been great, Acheampong has not been at fault for many of the goals conceded during that time. Whether playing on the right of a back four or a back three, the youngster has excelled to such an extent that he is now one of the first names on Xabi Alonso’s teamsheet, especially with Reece James injured.

“Josh has been outstanding,” Cundy said on talkSPORT’s Inside Chelsea podcast. “I’d go as far as saying he’s probably been our best player this season. He has been so consistent.

“If you go back to when Enzo Maresca first played him against Crystal Palace, when he made his debut, Maresca was singing his praises but we didn’t see him again for another six weeks. Xabi looks like he trusts him and he gets better and better.

“He’s so athletic; he’s so calm and assured on the ball. He had a couple of tough games, which is fair to say. But that’s fine because he’s still young and learning his trade. But do you know what? I’m seeing the player I knew was there. This is not a massive surprise.

“I’m just delighted for him because he is a Rolls-Royce. Let me tell you now, he’s an absolute Rolls-Royce of a player, not just defensively, but when he comes out from the back. He travelled across the pitch really late in the game, striding those long legs, galloping through the middle of the park.

“He’s been outstanding. You cannot move him right now at right-back. He is our best option there.”

Perhaps the biggest compliment Cundy gave Acheampong was choosing him over Morgan Rogers for the player of the season award. Rogers has been electric since moving to West London from Aston Villa this summer, scoring six goals and providing four assists in all competitions.

Joe Cole recently admitted that Rogers is much better than he realised, and many Chelsea supporters feel the same way. He has certainly outshone Cole Palmer this season and looks like he could be the Blues’ next world-class player.