Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd ‘in tense academy row as they accuse each other of BLOCKING scouts from games’
MANCHESTER UNITED, Chelsea and Liverpool have become embroiled in an academy row following a controversial summer transfer, according to reports.
It’s claimed that the dispute has led to scouts from the three clubs being denied access to academy games this season.
The issues are alleged to stem from the transfer of talented 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea to Liverpool in the summer.
According to The Athletic, the Blues have been accused by several sources of denying opposition scouts access to academy matches.
Chelsea are said to have denied the claim, countering that they in fact have had applications for scouts to attend games at Liverpool denied.
The Reds have also denied such allegations, but added that they would likely turn Chelsea down in future, given that the agreements are supposed to be reciprocal.
In addition to Liverpool, Man Utd are also said to have had applications to attend Chelsea youth matches this season denied.
The Red Devils were also interested in signing Ngumoha from the Blues, prior to his Anfield switch.
Figures from the three clubs are claimed to have met last week with the aim of easing tensions.
But no agreement has yet been found.
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SunSport has contacted Chelsea for comment.
Ngumoha has featured three times for Liverpool’s Under-18s in the U18 Premier League this season.
He has also played in two Uefa Youth League matches for the Reds.
The winger has been capped by England up to Under-16 level.
As per The Athletic, Liverpool Under-18s boss Marc Bridge-Wilkinson said of Ngumoha last month: “He is here because he’s got potential to go and reach the first team, but besides that, there’s no pressure from us.”