Liverpool are prepared to deviate from their traditional academy pay structure to sign England under-16 winger Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea,
Liverpool are prepared to deviate from their traditional academy pay structure to sign England under-16 winger Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Liverpool academy, known for its stringent policies, enforces rules such as limiting vehicle engine sizes to 1.3 liters. Academy head Alex Ingelthorpe once explained, “We have a pay structure which is fairly old-fashioned. We give them jobs to do. We tell them to hand their phone over at 8:30 a.m. and give them back before they go home.”
However, in an effort to secure the talented Ngumoha, the Reds are ready to break from these traditions.Ngumoha, who made his debut for Chelsea’s Under-21s as a 15-year-old last season, is expected to join Liverpool before his 16th birthday later this month.
Ngumoha would be the second prominent 15-year-old to join Liverpool’s academy this summer, following the anticipated arrival of Alvin Ayman from Wolves. These acquisitions reflect Liverpool’s strategic shift in youth recruitment post-Brexit, focusing on domestic talent since they can no longer sign European players under 18.
Last year, Liverpool recruited Trey Nyoni from Leicester and Amara Nallo from West Ham. Other mid-teen signings include Bobby Clark from Newcastle, James McConnell from Sunderland, Kaide Gordon from Derby County, and Ben Doak from Celtic.
Additionally, another Chelsea academy player, England under-16 international Ryan McAidoo, has also been linked with a potential move to Liverpool this summer.
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