Another year, Another youth Signing for Liverpool

Liverpool are making a habit of signing some of the best prospects in the country year after year. Ever since bringing 16 year old Harvey Elliott to Anfield back in 2019, Liverpool have continued a trend of attracting a long list of the United Kingdom’s and the Republic of Ireland’s best teenage talents. From Kaide Gordon, Bobby Clark, Ben Doak, Trent Kone-Doherty, Trey Nyoni to Amara Nallo.

The latest name is set to be Rio Ngumoha, who will turn 16 years old later this month. Without trying to be too hyperbolic, Ngumoha presents an even bigger step forward for Liverpool. Whereas previously, Liverpool had been poaching from the likes Derby County, Fulham, Newcastle United, Celtic, Leicester City and West Ham United – the club has managed to lure Ngumoha from Chelsea – a direct rival.

Why Chelsea are furious to lose Ngumoha

Not only that but one of Chelsea’s biggest prospects. Ever since the teenager joined Chelsea there had been exciting whispers at the club about his potential. He has been making incredible strides over the last couple of years – even training with Mauricio Pochettino’s first team squad last season – when he was still only 15 years old.

Even in the age of Lamine Yamal to be training at such a young age with a senior squad is a very rare thing – only those players who are considered exceptional are given that opportunity by their clubs. In that context, it’s easy to see why Chelsea are absolutely seething at the prospect of losing Ngumoha to Liverpool. And why Liverpool are prepared to break their academy wage structure in order to bring him to the club’s academy base in Kirkby.

Why Liverpool were able to get Ngumoha

You only have to go back to last season’s Carabao Cup final to see why Ngumoha has made his choice. While the overall age difference between the two sides at Wembley that day wasn’t completely different – Chelsea featured just three academy players that night.

Liverpool meanwhile featured seven – more than double. Chelsea’s young players had mostly been purchased in mega multi-million deals – most notably Moises Caicedo for a Premier League record transfer fee. At Liverpool on the other hand the path to the first team squad was laid out perfectly in that game.

Liverpool’s young academy graduates all played their part to guide Liverpool to victory. And most of them have been continuing to get first team opportunities at the club ever since. Liverpool’s academy work deserves its merit. Alex Inglethorpe has done brilliantly to revamp the club’s academy over the last decade and now the fruits of that are showing with the club being able to attract even some of Ngumoha’s quality from a rival club.

What is Ngumoha like? Why is he so highly rated?

At Chelsea, Ngumoha has been likened to another academy product who the club lost at an early age – Jamal Musiala. It’s easy to see why, like Musiala Ngumoha makes dribbling look effortless. For England’s U16 team over the course of last year he averaged 12.91 dribbles per 90 in 11 matches – with a completion rate of 63.6%.

Even in a 5-2 defeat to Arsenal back in May, Ngumoha attempted a whopping 13 dribbles and completed eight of them. Despite Arsenal dominating possession he caused the young Gunners plenty of problems and was one of the rare bright sparks for Chelsea on the night. Predominantly, right-footed, Ngumoha is capable of cutting into the middle or going down the flanks. He is most effective when he cuts into the middle where he beat players even in tight spaces and find goal-scoring opportunities for himself.

He scored and registered an assist on his U18 debut for Chelsea back in December of last year in a 3-2 victory over Southampton. For England’s U16 team he averaged 0.84 goal contributions per 90 scoring two goals and registering three assists in 537 minutes of football.

Despite his age he already stands out not only through his dribbling but through his intelligence. Ngumoha makes smart decisions – his impressive dribble completion rate is proof of that – he attempts dribbles in the right areas and is therefore more effective. On top of that he also knows when to lay it off to a teammate and he will look to create chances as well. For England’s U16 side he averaged 3.18 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes.

What’s next?

Expectations will need to be tempered. Ngumoha may be a big prospect but he is still very young. No pressure should be heaped on his shoulders just yet. He is expected to initially link-up with the club’s U18 side and gradually progress through the ranks from there – just as Elliott, Gordon, Doak, Clark and Nyoni have all done in the past.

The hope will be for him to be able to follow in their footsteps. But patience will be practised and Ngumoha will have to prove himself along every step of the way. If there is one thing that’s guaranteed – he is at the best place to continue his development. And Liverpool have definitely pulled off a major coup. The kind of coup which once again signals the rise in fortunes of the club’s academy under Inglethorpe’s leadership.