The Guardian reported that if 16-year-old Ngumoha still stays at Chelsea, he can only play youth team games this season.
At St James Park Stadium on Monday, Ngumoha calmly pushed the shot in the 100th minute, completing the final shot. This goal not only made him a part in Liverpool's history, but also proved that his choice was correct. As every coach who coached him predicted, the 16-year-old made a name on the Premier League stage, but his name might not have been known so quickly without the bold decision a year ago.
In the Premier League youth training system, Ngumoha was once regarded as one of England's most promising new stars. His decision to leave Chelsea last summer to join Liverpool was shocking. Although he was unable to leave the club he had been playing for since he was 8, and the Newham-born teenager was leaving London just a few days after his 16th birthday, Ngumoha believed that he could get a clearer lead to the first team at Liverpool, which was enough to make up for it. In the match against Newcastle on Monday, he replaced Woodburn at 16 years and 361 days to become the youngest goalkeeper in Liverpool's history, a achievement confirming that his original choice was correct.
Chelsea actually provided contracts to Ngumoha many times. His departure made the Blues extremely dissatisfied. In order to prevent being poached again in the future, Chelsea has subsequently banned Liverpool scouts from entering its training base to watch youth training games, and the management of the two sides even had a fierce confrontation.
Chelsea knows what it has lost. For Ngumoha, the core of choice lies in the "growth path". Chelsea has collected many top young talents around the world, but will Ngumoha get a chance if he stays at Stamford Bridge? Last season, coach Maresca gave 16-year-old midfielder Reggie Walsh a chance to make his debut, but the competition for Chelsea's position within the team was extremely fierce.
After all, Chelsea has just signed 18-year-old Brazilian winger Estevan and plans to introduce 19-year-old Portuguese winger Kunda next summer. One source said that Ngumoha is a very cute kid, but if he stays at Chelsea, he will only play youth team games this season.