Chelsea could lose ANOTHER exciting prospect after Rio Ngumoha Liverpool transfer

11 Jul 2024 18:30 BST
3 min read

When it comes to the first team this summer has been a successful window for Chelsea with the club bringing in solid reinforcements for new manager, Enzo Maresca.

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However, at academy level a worrying pattern has emerged which has seen the club lose some of its best young talent to Premier League rivals.

Earlier on in the summer, talented England youth international Ryan McAidoo agreed to join Manchester City after coming through the ranks at Chelsea and representing the club's U18 side last season.

Last week, news of Rio Ngumoha, who had trained at Chelsea's first team despite only being 15 years old, dominated the headlines. He too has seemingly moved onto pastures new with Liverpool set to win the race for his signature.

It's a worrying trend that is only set to continue as the club limits opportunities to academy players into the first team.

Now according to BBC journalist, Nizaar Kinsella, another Chelsea academy prospect is weighing up his future at the club. Kinsella reports that Sam Rak-Sakyi is yet to decide his future after his contract expired at Chelsea in June.

© IMAGO - Todd Boehly has transformed Chelsea.

He is still in talks with the club but he is believed to be considering his options.

This would be a further blow to Chelsea's academy development. Rak-Sakyi is an England youth international who has made 49 youth team appearances for the club's U18 and U21 sides.

He is regarded highly within the club's ranks and featured regularly for the club's Premier League 2 side last season.

Now it seems his future is also up in the air and the exodus at Chelsea's academy could well set a precedent in the club's future recruitment as well.

It's something the club desperately needs to address under Todd Boehly's leadership. The club has had one of the best academies in England for a long time.

It has developed England internationals including Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher, who have both played a key role in getting England to the final of Euro 2024. Losing that tradition would be a great shame.

Read more about: Premier League, Chelsea