Chelsea ‘BANN’ Liverpool scouts in stingy response to summer transfer – Liverpool FC

Chelsea have reportedly refused scouts from Liverpool and Man United to attend academy matches this season, in response to the transfer of Rio Ngumoha.

Ngumoha, the 16-year-old winger, moved from Chelsea to Liverpool this summer despite the London club’s best attempts to keep hold of their prized asset.

The teenager has since joined the ranks of the Reds’ academy, training daily with the Under-21s while featuring in the Under-18s and the UEFA Youth League at Under-19 level.

Liverpool’s success in signing Ngumoha came with increased interest from Man United, while Chelsea made a concerted effort to convince him to stay.

The nature of the transfer, which attracted high-profile media attention, has prompted a stingy response from members of the London club.

Chelsea have turned down requests from both Liverpool and Man United for scouts to attend youth games at their Cobham training ground this season, according to The Athletic.

It is explained that “several people with knowledge of the situation” claim that “Chelsea were the first to restrict access to opposition scouts”.

Chelsea sources have denied this, instead insisting they had in fact been refused access to games at the AXA training centre, although Liverpool sources responded that “not a single one has been turned away. legality so far this season”.

The situation is being described as “mutual” and while Liverpool are adamant they have not rejected any accreditation requests, club sources admitted that “if Chelsea scouts were to apply in the future, it is likely to be rejected.”

“The west London club’s decision has been interpreted as a response to losing (Ngumoha),” added the Athletic.

Talks have been held between Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United to resolve the issue, but “no deal has yet been reached”.

It is important to maintain that “none of the three clubs have issued a formal ban on the other’s scouts”, particularly as this would breach Premier League rules.

“Youth development rules state that clubs must allow scouts from other clubs to attend academy matches,” it explains.

This “provided the scout notifies both clubs involved in the match no later than midday on the last working day before the match and presents valid identification”.

Liverpool have taken a new approach to youth recruitment in the post-Brexit years, focusing on signing the best academy talent from across the UK.

Ngumoha and midfielder Alvin Ayman, who joined Wolves in August, are the latest in a long line of arrivals as part of this new campaign.

Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo signed from Leicester and West Ham respectively in 2023, while Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon, Calum Scanlon and Trent Kone-Doherty are among those who have arrived on similar deals.

Bobby Clark joined from Newcastle in 2021 in a deal worth £1.5m, before switching to Salzburg for £10m in the summer.