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Chelsea insider's detail on Rio Ngumoha explains Liverpool's desperation to sign him

Rio Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea earlier this month
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


At the age of 16 and with less than 90 minutes of action under his belt so far this season, Rio Ngumoha is nevertheless making waves at Liverpool.

The teenager completed his move to Merseyside from Chelsea earlier this month after being the source of speculation throughout the summer. Although most Liverpool fans would likely not have been familiar with him a few months ago, his signing was seen as a major coup for the Reds.

Chelsea was left hugely disappointed by his departure, having been earmarked as a player destined for the first-team at Stamford Bridge. Former Blues captain John Terry confirmed as much when he wrote on social media: “This boy is and will be a top top player,” in response to Ngumoha’s move being confirmed.

Ngumoha has been showing exactly why he’s been so highly rated during his short time at Liverpool. The winger made his debut for the club’s U18s against Blackburn earlier this month and, despite only being on the pitch for just 16 minutes, he had his opponents panicking in no time.

The teenager has also already made himself known to the first-team setup, having spent a few days with some of the club’s senior players, including Federico Chiesa, at the AXA Training Centre during the most recent international break.

Ngumoha is certainly a player to keep an eye on for the future, and insiders from his time at Chelsea have now lifted the lid on why Liverpool was so keen to land his signature.

Speaking to The Athletic, an unnamed insider with knowledge of the Chelsea academy revealed: “The coaches loved working with Rio because he’s a great kid, but also because he would take on board what they were saying. There had been times when he was trying to do it all by himself.”

Rio Ngumoha dribbles with the ball while playing for Liverpool's U18s.
Liverpool snapped up Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea this summer. -Credit:Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

His performance in the U17 Premier League Cup final for the Blues played a big role in convincing Liverpool on his signing. Ngumoha scored a stunning solo goal against Wolves that day, with his ‘purposeful running from left and central areas’ leaving scouts in doubt about his potential.

“It was a performance that was expected as he lived up to the hype,” one scout said. “Some of us thought he was a bit too flashy, but others were already on board with his quality.”

Liverpool will now be looking to nurture Ngumoha into a player who will one day earn a regular spot in the Reds’ first-team setup. “He’s come from a big club,” U21 coach Barry Lewtas said.

“It’s not like he’s been plucked out of obscurity. He knows what elite looks like. The environment that we create will help him and on top of that, we have got a lot of other good players around him. Some of the other boys are a bit older and they will help him settle.”