Rio Ngumoha has vindicated his decision to leave Chelsea for Liverpool by becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club's history. The 16-year-old scored a dramatic 100th-minute winner against Newcastle at St James' Park on Monday, aged 16 years and 361 days, surpassing Ben Woodburn's record.
Ngumoha stunned Chelsea last summer by moving to Liverpool, despite the London club making several contract offers. Chelsea were so aggrieved that they banned Liverpool scouts from attending academy matches at their training ground. Former Chelsea captain John Terry said: 'This boy is and will be a top player.'
The teenager's choice was driven by a clearer path to first-team football at Liverpool. Sources with knowledge of youth football believe he was right to leave, with one saying: 'He'd be playing youth football at Chelsea this season.' Chelsea have since added Brazilian winger Estêvão Willian and will bring in Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon next summer.
Ngumoha impressed in pre-season with fine individual goals against Yokohama F Marinos and Athletic Bilbao, showcasing his pace, technique and improved awareness. He made his full senior debut in January's FA Cup win against Accrington Stanley. His former youth coach at Chelsea, Terry Bobie, credited Ngumoha's older brother James as a key influence, saying they worked relentlessly every day for years.
Ngumoha is not eligible to sign his first professional contract until Friday, when he turns 17. At Liverpool, he was quickly promoted from the under-18s to the under-21s, where coach Barry Lewtas worked on improving his end product and teamwork. Manager Arne Slot has shown faith in the youngster, giving him first-team squad places alongside Trey Nyoni.
