Liverpool FC attacker Rio Ngumoha is the subject of a profile in The Telegraph, and there are some pretty interesting quotes in the piece.
The article leads with Harry Kane’s Ballon D’or win, and if he thinks he can win it one day. He answered yes, duh.
The rest of it explores Ngumoha’s journey from Manor Park, Newham, a borough of London to Chelsea’s academy. It’s worth a read.
The latter half of the piece gets into Ngumoha’s reasons for leaving Chelsea and joining the Reds:
“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.”
Again, he speaks of the sacrifice his mother has had to go through to facilitate his move to Liverpool:
“My mum has done a lot for me. The hardest thing for her has been moving up to Liverpool. She left her job in a school to move up three or four months after me. But I think she’s enjoying it as well. It’s definitely been tough as she has friends in London. She goes back whenever she can. But she does everything for me and my brother. She’s just amazing. I can’t thank her enough.”
Rio also spoke about his experience with the England national team setup so far, and with Thomas Tuchel specifically:
“When I first came [with England], I was a bit shy, so I was keeping myself to myself,” said Ngumoha. “But then they got me in the group. The shyness goes from the first time you touch the ball and step on the pitch. Then you realise it’s just football and you can play the way you play. After the first session, it goes.”
“I think it’s very nice. He knows I’m quite talented, which is good. Every time I come on, he lets me be expressive, be free. He also coaches me as well. Off the ball, on the ball, little ideas. I just have the belief from him and all the coaches here. It’s top. Hopefully I can just keep going and keep leaving a good impression on him.”
It’s been a big year for Rio. Let’s hope even bigger and better things are in store for Rio as he continues to be fearless.
