Josh Acheampong has started six of Chelsea's past nine matches in all competitions.

Only four players - attackers Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, and defenders Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix - have played more than his 581 minutes under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Much of that has stemmed from Xabi Alonso settling on a more consistent side.

Chelsea had conceded a league-high 12 goals before the international break but have let in only one since, including recording their first clean sheet of the season away at Everton on Saturday.

Acheampong, 20, has operated as a roaming centre-back in a back three alongside more fixed options Colwill and Lacroix, stepping into midfield or moving wide to perform the role of a traditional full-back when in possession.

He has also developed a promising understanding with right wing-back Pedro Neto, combining with him in the move that led to Joao Pedro's goal against Bournemouth, while keeping £75m signing Wesley Fofana out of the side.

Alonso has been keen to emphasise Chelsea's defensive improvement as a collective effort, with the return of Moises Caicedo from injury and his partnership alongside 36-year-old Jordan Henderson adding greater stability.

During a pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, Alonso also hammered home his policy of giving minutes to those who most deserve it, rather than on reputation.

It's in this environment Acheampong has begun featuring regularly, while also starting eight of England Under-21s' past 10 matches.

Increasingly, the young defender appears to be knocking on the door of a senior call-up should manager Thomas Tuchel seek a versatile option on the right side of defence.