The Liverpool staff member behind Chelsea’s frustration, and why it could cost FSG
Liverpool have become a powerhouse in transfer windows, but one of their best pieces of business has come at youth level.
Liverpool spent a huge amount in the summer as Arne Slot looks to defend the title he won last season.
Alexander Isak was a blockbuster signing for Liverpool and ones fans will be expecting plenty from.
There’s a much younger star emerging in Slot’s plans, though, and he cost no where near as much; leaving the club he left ‘furious’ with his exit.
Liverpool chief scout key to Rio Ngumoha’s Chelsea exit
A last-kick-of-the-game-winner against Newcastle on his Premier League debut pushed Rio Ngumoha into the spotlight.
Since then, Ngumoha has made Liverpool’s Champions League squad and looks to have cemented himself as a genuine first team option.
He wasn’t always a Liverpool player though. Ngumoha began his career with Chelsea‘s youth academy, and, according to the Daily Mail, the Reds’ chief scout Chris Wilkins was ‘crucial’ to the teenager agreeing to move north.
After watching Ngumoha in action last summer, Wilkins convince the 17-year-old that Liverpool could offer a better pathway to first team football.
As a result, he left Chelsea, but the deal’s fee is still being contested.
Frustrated Chelsea expecting sizeable compensation package
Chelsea are said to be ‘furious’ with Liverpool for poaching of arguably their best young talent.
The clubs are currently embroiled in a compensation tribunal. Liverpool could pay Chelsea several million pounds for Ngumoha.
Chelsea believe the 17-year-old’s sudden rise will increase the sum they’re entitled to, but appreciate in a few years, the youngster will be worth a lot more.
Even if FSG are forced to pay Ngumoha’s full value, it will still be no where near his true worth, and the Reds know it.
Regardless of what the tribunal decide, Chelsea know they have lost a real star and one which could come back to haunt them.
Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge on 4 October and Ngumoha may well be in line to feature.