"Rio Ngumoha is very confident and has a strong personality," Terry, the former Chelsea captain who won the Champions League, Europa League, and five Premier League titles, told The Sun. "Not since Joe Cole and Eden Hazard have we had a player that excites the fans like that. Unfortunately, we lost him."
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Ngumoha playing for Chelsea's youth team in 2023. Photo: CFC |
Ngumoha playing for Chelsea's youth team in 2023. Photo: CFC
Terry, a Chelsea legend, returned to the club as a youth academy coach in July 2023. There, the former England center-back helped coach the under-14 team, of which Ngumoha was a member. "We had a very strong under-14 team, and he was a big part of that," he recalled.
Born in London on 29/8/2008, Ngumoha was part of the Chelsea academy from 2016 to 2024. However, in July 2024, the teenage prodigy joined Liverpool on a free transfer.
Ngumoha made his Liverpool first-team debut in January 2025 in an FA Cup victory against Accrington Stanley. Following a successful summer tour, the 16-year-old winger continued his rapid ascent. On 25/8, against Newcastle in the Premier League, Ngumoha not only made his Premier League debut but also scored the winning goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time, securing a 3-2 victory.
"He's very ambitious and wants to play first-team football. He believed he could achieve that with Liverpool," Terry said about his former trainee's move.
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Ngumoha celebrates Liverpool's 3-2 win over Newcastle in the second round of the Premier League on 25/8. Photo: PA |
Ngumoha celebrates Liverpool's 3-2 win over Newcastle in the second round of the Premier League on 25/8. Photo: PA
Chelsea's management is reportedly furious about losing such a promising young player to a rival. According to British media, the Stamford Bridge club is even exploring ways to prevent Liverpool scouts from attending their youth team matches.
While Liverpool acquired Ngumoha without a transfer fee, Chelsea is entitled to compensation for his development because he left on a free transfer before turning 24. A tribunal will determine the amount. The Daily Mail suggests Liverpool might only have to pay a six-figure sum, while the Daily Express estimates it could be as high as 3 million USD. However, given his recent performance and immense potential, Ngumoha's value far exceeds any compensation Chelsea will receive.
Hazard was a key left winger for Chelsea from 2012 to 2019, scoring 110 goals in 352 appearances and winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. After joining Real Madrid for 110 million USD in the summer of 2019, Hazard's career declined due to injuries and weight gain. He played only 76 games, scoring seven goals for Real Madrid before retiring in 2023 at the age of 32.
Thanh Quy (The Sun)
