Tensions between Chelsea and Liverpool have escalated as the Blues have barred scouts from the Reds from attending youth matches at their Cobham training center.
Why is Chelsea attempting to prevent Liverpool scouts from observing their academy matches? According to The Athletic, Chelsea’s refusal to grant Liverpool and Manchester United scouts access to their youth games has raised concerns about growing tensions among some of England’s top academies.
Liverpool has criticized Chelsea for being the first to impose such restrictions, but the West London club denies these claims. The Reds have also stated that no Chelsea scouts have ever been denied access to matches in Merseyside. However, they have warned that if Chelsea scouts request to attend similar matches in the future, they are likely to be turned down, marking a retaliatory action from Liverpool.
Many believe Chelsea’s decision is a direct response to Liverpool’s aggressive pursuit of 16-year-old star Rio Ngumoha. Ngumoha is regarded as one of the most promising talents to emerge from Chelsea’s academy in recent years and is drawing significant interest, particularly from Liverpool.
After Ngumoha was reportedly “lured” to Kirkby (Liverpool’s youth academy), Cobham expressed its disappointment. This move was approved following a strict five-step assessment process established by the Premier League. Regulations regarding youth player development require clubs to allow scouts to attend academy matches if they provide at least 24 hours’ notice and possess valid identification.
Chelsea has undergone extensive changes in its academy leadership over the past year, with key figures like Neil Bath and Jim Fraser set to depart. Glenn van der Kraan, formerly with Manchester City, has taken over as the new academy technical director, while Jack Francis has become the academy’s managing director. Delroy Ebanks, previously at Newcastle, now heads the academy’s recruitment department. These changes may contribute to Chelsea’s more protective stance regarding talent and access to their academy.