View: Liverpool youth ace Ngumoha to spark war with Chelsea amid fresh ban developments
Liverpool youth star Rio Ngumoha is set to spark a war with Chelsea after the club denied scouts access to academy matches.
Ngumoha left Cobham for the AXA Training Centre this summer with the promise of a clear path to the first team, the move has reportedly left a bad taste in West London.
The Athletic reported on Wednesday [16 October] that tensions between the sides had reached boiling point with Reds scouts seeing accreditation to attend youth matches at Cobham rejected.
Liverpool are reportedly stunned by Chelsea’s decision [Liverpool Echo, 17 October] and have since returned the favour, viewing the move as repercussions for the transfer of Ngumoha.
Liverpool and Chelsea prepare for youth standoff
With neither side admitting to throwing the first punch and both denying access to scouts, a war of words has escalated in youth football.
Chelsea can hardly blame Ngumoha for deciding his future is better served at the AXA Training Centre. The club will face a youth exodus of English talent should Todd Boehly continue the trend of acquiring the best young talent South America has to offer.
The 15-year-old has already progressed into the Under-21s side at the Reds and is flourishing under Barry Lewtas.
His loss is a massive blow for Chelsea Ngumoha was considered one of the brightest talents at the Cobham academy but the tactic of farming young talent in an overflowing squad will only hurt the development of the prospects in the long run.
Tensions will be on a knife edge when Enzo Maresca brings his side to Anfield on Sunday [20 October] and another resounding victory for Arne Slot, similar to the 4-1 win at home under Jurgen Klopp last season will surely add fuel to the fire of the ongoing rivalry.
It is a petty move from Chelsea by all accounts if the club took better care of the academy players, Boehly would not need to worry about Premier League sides poaching talent.
The clubs, and Manchester United who also have been denied access, will meet to resolve the situation but it is unlikely this will be the last we hear of it.
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