Chelsea have seemingly never quite forgiven Liverpool for their move to sign Rio Ngumoha in 2024.
The Reds took advantage of Ngumoha’s unhappiness with his boyhood club, swooping in to sign the youngster as he turned 16.
There were subsequent reports that Chelsea banned Liverpool scouts from their youth games in an attempt to punish the Reds for what they saw as an underhand approach.
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In fairness to the Blues, Ngumoha‘s progress in the 15 months since has arguably justified such behaviour. The 17-year-old is one of English football’s most impressive prospects.
But revenge is a dish best served cold, and it seems that having waited for their moment, Chelsea are ready to strike back at Liverpool more than one year later.
According to The Daily Mail, the West London side are ready to make a play to sign outstanding Liverpool academy talent Josh Abe.
Rio Ngumoha in action for Liverpool during their pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Liverpool could lose Josh Abe to Chelsea or Arsenal
As Rousing The Kop noted back in September, Abe has been impressing onlookers this season, featuring sporadically for the U18s despite being only 15.
The teenager’s talent has seemingly not gone unnoticed outside of Liverpool as well.
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According to The Mail, the Reds are having to contend with interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea in Abe, who is yet to sign scholarship terms at Anfield.
Chelsea’s interest is the most notable, with their plans described as being a ‘revenge mission’ in direct retaliation to Ngumoha’s move the other way last year.
Arsenal are named as ones to watch as well, given Abe’s father is reportedly an Arsenal fan, a fact which could influence his son’s decision.
The 15-year-old is said to be thought of as one of the most exciting players within the Liverpool academy, and is described ‘the BEST winger in the country at this age’ by online academy expert ‘Secret Scout.’
A move away from Liverpool is not claimed to be advanced for Abe at this stage, but the Reds are coming under mounting pressure for his signature.
Liverpool must keep hold of Josh Abe
There are seemingly plenty of similarities between Ngumoha and Abe. At 15, they are or were both seen as being special talents.
Both wide players who love to take on defenders, there is something incredibly exciting at the thought of Liverpool having the two at the club.
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Given Ngumoha’s pathway to the first team since his arrival at Liverpool, Abe would do well to look at the older boy as an inspiration.
If he focuses on his football and is able to shine at youth level, he will soon be given a chance in the senior team. Liverpool have proven that with young players time and again in recent years.
The Reds must now lean on that in order to keep Abe from jumping ship. Losing him at this juncture would feel like a real failure on Liverpool’s part, especially if he is to join a rival. Ultimately, it may end up being out of their hands, but they have to do everything they can to keep this prodigious young man on Merseyside.