Liverpool have a new hero following their dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle United on Monday night, and it is an ex-Chelsea academy player.
Rio Ngumoha, who left Chelsea for Liverpool last year, was brought on deep into stoppage time and managed to score a last-minute winner for Arne Slot’s side.
His former youth coach at Chelsea, Saul Isaksson-Hurst, who has also worked with the likes of Levi Colwill and Jamal Musiala, has been discussing the teenage winger following his Monday night heroics.
He was rated extremely highly inside Chelsea’s academy. Upon his exit, John Terry described Ngumoha as a “top, top player”.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool has a shot on goal
Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Rio Ngumoha the best player Saul Isaksson-Hurst has ever coached
Colwill and Musiala are incredible talents themselves. Former England striker Gary Lineker spoke about Colwill last month, stating that the central defender is really starting to improve.
However, Isaksson-Hurst has told SPORTbible that Ngumoha remains the best player he has ever coached.
“His ability on the ball and the way he beat players with ease was on another level,” Isaksson-Hurst said as he discussed his time working with the 16-year-old.
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“I remember at a tournament in France, we were knocked out at the group stage, but he still managed to win the Player of the Tournament award. He’s the best player I’ve coached by a country mile.”
Being reminded of how talented Ngumoha is by Isaksson-Hurst’s words and the player’s goal against Newcastle will only frustrate Chelsea fans even more.
To make matters worse, the Blues are actively trying to sign a new left winger ahead of deadline day. Chelsea have held talks over signing Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United, but Ngumoha could have possibly been a solution for Enzo Maresca had he never left the club.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates scoring
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The ‘big factor’ behind Rio Ngumoha’s Chelsea exit
Understandably, Chelsea were desperate to keep hold of Ngumoha and offered the youngster a new contract.
However, a pathway into Liverpool’s first team convinced him to leave Cobham for Melwood.
Jamie Gittens and Garnacho are now likely to be Maresca’s main two options for the left flank this season, while Pedro Neto can also play there.
Tyrique George represents another option, but he is another Chelsea youngster who could be set to leave Stamford Bridge amid interest from AS Roma.