Following the loss of Rio Ngumoha, Chelsea should look to raid Liverpool’s youth ranks as contract negotiations for star winger Josh Abe hit a definitive standstill at Kirby.
Chelsea‘s youth ranks are thriving right now. The biggest evidence of this came in the FA Cup against Hull City, where Jesse Derry came on and shone for 20 minutes.
That’s not all. Estevao Willian and Mamadou Sarr are just a couple of names to have impressed and been given an opportunity under Liam Rosenior.
While not every youngster will enjoy the same trajectory as Estevao, there’s a queue of wonderkids at Cobham right now. From Shim Mheuka to Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, the future is very bright.
And there could be more to come, as Chelsea have the opportunity to steal one back from rivals Liverpool.
Who is the most exciting academy talent at Cobham right now?👀
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Chelsea top academy prospect
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Josh Abe hits contract standstill with Liverpool
James Pearce, chief Liverpool writer at The Athletic, has stated that the Reds are locked in talks with 15-year-old talent Josh Abe over a scolarship, but he’s yet to agree.
This opens the door for Chelsea or any other club to speak to the youngster from June 1st.
Young players are allowed to have an agent from the September of the academic year when they turn 16.
While Chelsea aren’t named, it does state that Liverpool’s ‘Premier League rivals’ are paying close attention to the situation.
And if you’re wondering about his talents, The Mail‘s Lewis Steele has reported that he is being labelled as “the best winger in the country at his age.”
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Liam Rosenior thinks he's selfless 👏
Chelsea players with hat-trick of assists
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Chelsea can get Rio Ngumoha revenge
Chelsea’s aggressive recruitment of the UK’s top teenage talent should lead them directly to the doors of Liverpool’s academy, where they can make the most of their long-standing interest in Josh Abe.
Following the loss of Rio Ngumoha to Anfield last summer, securing Abe would represent the ultimate revenge for Chelsea, effectively poaching a rival’s top prospect before he can sign professional terms.
Earlier this month, a tribunal ruled that the Liverpool must pay Chelsea an initial fee of £2.8million in compensation for Rio Ngumoha and it could rise to £6.8m if various add-ons are triggered.
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