Chelsea told the exact reason why they lost €72m star to their rivals
Rio Ngumoha has cited the need for a “fresh challenge” as the reason behind his decision to leave Chelsea for Liverpool.
The teenage sensation, 18, spent eight years in the Blues’ youth system before opting to join Liverpool in the summer of 2024.
Chelsea received €3.35million (£2.8m) in compensation for Ngumoha, who is now a regular fixture in the Liverpool first team.
However, Ngumoha believes he would have “quickly” broken into Chelsea’s senior setup as well, had he decided to stay at Stamford Bridge.
The winger insists his decision to join Liverpool was a “no-brainer” given he was desperate for new surroundings at the time.
In quotes carried by The Telegraph, Ngumoha said of his Chelsea departure: “I feel like I needed a new challenge. I feel like if I stayed at Chelsea... I’m not saying that I wouldn’t have got to the first team as quick, because I believe in my ability, but I feel like Liverpool just gave me a new pathway.
“The plan that they set for me was straightforward really. For me, it was a no-brainer going to Liverpool, and they just said if I prove myself, because they know how much ability I had, then they know that I would definitely be a first-team player and definitely a star for them in the making.
“I think going to Liverpool so far has been the right choice.”
Ngumoha is Liverpool's youngest ever goalscorer
Feeling the faith of Arne Slot and now Andoni Iraola, the two managers who have nurtured him at Liverpool, Ngumoha continues to sparkle at Anfield.
Ngumoha became the youngest scorer in Liverpool's history when - aged 16 years and 361 days old - he netted the winner in the 3-2 league victory at Newcastle United last August.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
The England international has gone on to record another goal and three assists for Liverpool, who are in negotiations with his agent over a contract extension.
Ngumoha has less than two years remaining on his current terms but he has previously said talks over an extension are going well.
Bayern Munich were willing to pay around €72m (£60m) to sign Ngumoha in the summer but Liverpool rejected their advances, as per The Telegraph.
Ngumoha, who has also been linked with Arsenal, could feature when England entertain Croatia in the Nations League tomorrow. He has three senior caps for his country.
Read also:
