Chelsea have reportedly taken action against both Liverpool and Manchester United by refusing their scouts access to academy fixtures this season, in what seems to be a reaction to Rio Ngumoha’s transfer to Liverpool.
Ngumoha, a highly-rated 16-year-old winger, left Chelsea’s youth ranks this summer to join Liverpool, despite Chelsea’s strong efforts to keep him.
Ngumoha has since integrated into Liverpool’s academy, where he trains regularly with the U21s while also playing for the U18s and in the UEFA Youth League for the U19s. His transfer attracted attention not only because of his talent but also due to significant interest from Manchester United. Chelsea made a dedicated attempt to retain the player, but Liverpool secured his signature, sparking a tense situation between the clubs.
According to a report by The Athletic, Chelsea has now restricted scouts from Liverpool and Manchester United from attending youth games at their Cobham Training Centre. Sources claim this decision follows Chelsea’s frustration over losing Ngumoha. The report indicates that Chelsea “were the first to restrict access to opposition scouts,” based on insights from multiple people with knowledge of the situation.
Chelsea officials have denied that they initiated the scouting restrictions. Instead, they argue that it was actually their scouts who had been denied access to games at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre. However, Liverpool sources counter this claim, asserting that no such requests have been denied so far this season.
The situation has been described as “reciprocal” by insiders, with an underlying tension between the clubs. Although Liverpool firmly maintains that they haven’t refused any scouting requests, they admit that if Chelsea scouts were to apply for access in the future, their requests are likely to be rejected in response to Chelsea’s recent actions.
The transfer of Ngumoha is believed to have played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s decision to limit scouting access. While no official bans have been placed on scouts from any of the clubs, talks have reportedly been held between Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United in an effort to resolve the matter. However, no consensus has been reached yet.
It is important to note that Premier League rules require clubs to allow opposition scouts to attend academy matches, provided they follow certain protocols. According to these rules, scouts must inform both clubs involved in the match by noon on the last working day before the game and must provide valid identification.
The ongoing scouting tension comes as Liverpool continues to refine its approach to youth recruitment, particularly in the post-Brexit era. With restrictions on signing young players from Europe, Liverpool has focused on acquiring the top academy talents from across the UK. Ngumoha’s signing is part of this strategy, as are other recent youth transfers.
In August, Liverpool also secured midfielder Alvin Ayman from Wolves, following a series of youth acquisitions over recent years. This drive has seen the club bring in players like Trey Nyoni from Leicester City, Amara Nallo from West Ham United, Ben Doak from Celtic, and Trent Kone-Doherty from Derry City. These players join a growing list of academy recruits that reflects Liverpool’s commitment to building a strong future through domestic talent.
One of the most notable success stories is Bobby Clark, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in 2021 for £1.5 million and later moved to Salzburg for £10 million this summer, showcasing how the club’s youth development approach can yield significant returns.
Overall, while no formal bans on scouting have been enforced, the friction between Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United is palpable. It remains to be seen whether the ongoing discussions between the clubs will lead to a resolution, or if the current situation will continue to create tension in their youth recruitment processes.
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