Rio Ngumoah

[RedReet]

No pressure but if he can score a competitive goal for the first team by the 12 October, he becomes the youngest goalscorer in our history.

Does Charity Shield count?

I really fancy him to score in that.

[RedReet]

Had a look out of curiosity. Sterling and Owen were both less than 6 months older than Rio will be at start of season when they made their debuts. They both broke through in May, meaning they had a full preseason to develop further, before establishing themselves the next year.

So you could look at it that maybe this season has come a bit too soon for Rio compared to them, or you could look at it that he is ahead in his development, made his debut younger and has already had his full pre season. He also isn't as lightweight as they were, which works in his favour.

[Doc_Piptorious]

No pressure but if he can score a competitive goal for the first team by the 12 October, he becomes the youngest goalscorer in our history.

[Corndog]

I can see both sides to be honest, it depends on the manager and squad and his plans and thoughts etc. I think in the past we have probably tended to give the approach of not letting players get carried away put them in the squad too early then taking them out is a big blow, doing it after preseason and saying that was always the plan for his development is easier to manage.

Also as I mentioned we have about 20 senior players who will be expecting to be in the match day squads, the transfer window remains open for a few weeks after the season starts. If you put Rio on the bench ahead of Chiesa or bring him off the bench ahead of Chiesa for example you might make Chiesa think about his future, if you want to nudge him towards the exit then you might play Rio, if you want him to stay you might give him those minutes...

Perhaps a controversial opinion but I’d rather keep Doak instead of Chiesa.

Both could be sold and Doak would command a bigger fee but Chiesa is a spent force and too injury prone. Doak has also been disrupted by injuries but he’s still so young he can hopefully recover and not have them affect him long term.

Rio does seem very exciting, probably even more so than Sterling at the same age but development isn’t linear. It will be more interesting to compare how they stack up at 19 when Sterling was an outstanding senior pro.

[Exiled_red]

Think Peterbread made a fair point, considering he's in such good form it makes more sense to get him involved now, harness the momentum. He's buzzing, the fans are buzzing, let's use it to our advantage. If it is too soon for him, send him back to the youth teams, highlight what he needs to work on.

On current form, say we are drawing against Newcastle or Arsenal and need a late goal, who would you rather see come on Ngumoha or Chiesa? (Not saying Rio is better than Chiesa BTW)

In terms of keeping him grounded, I'm not sure that will be an issue. Slot has already called him out publicly for not passing when he could easily have just sang his praises, so I don't think he'd let him get too carried away.

Finally, if we do get Isak he won't be match fit so maybe not ready to start. Ekitike is still unproven and Slot hadn't shown much faith in Chiesa, so even if we did plan on sending Ngumoha back to the reserves, we might have no choice but to use him early on while our new signings get up to speed.

I can see both sides to be honest, it depends on the manager and squad and his plans and thoughts etc. I think in the past we have probably tended to give the approach of not letting players get carried away put them in the squad too early then taking them out is a big blow, doing it after preseason and saying that was always the plan for his development is easier to manage.

Also as I mentioned we have about 20 senior players who will be expecting to be in the match day squads, the transfer window remains open for a few weeks after the season starts. If you put Rio on the bench ahead of Chiesa or bring him off the bench ahead of Chiesa for example you might make Chiesa think about his future, if you want to nudge him towards the exit then you might play Rio, if you want him to stay you might give him those minutes...

[RedReet]

His name is Rio and he dances down the wing.

He cuts inside and scores and makes the kopites sing.

[RedReet]

I don't see him starting many games (other than League Cup and FA Cup) but his pace and directness are an attribute. I can see him coming off the bench late in games against tired defenders, maybe not from the start of the season but at some point

We have a relatively large squad probably 20 senior players who will be expecting to be in the match day squads so that limits the number of places in the squad available for youngsters when everyone is fit, so my feeling is that at the start of the season it will be easier for him not to be involved initially, keep him grounded after a good pre-season etc.

But looking at the squad we currently only have 5 senior forwards (Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike, Chiesa and Nunez) it looks like Nunez will leave and we are hoping to sign Isak., keeping it at 5, Chiesa didn't play much last season and could be on his way so, there is also the fact Salah will be away for a month, add to that the usual injuries/suspensions etc and it feels like there are minutes there for someone. I would expect Danns, Koumas, Gordon to be out on loan. I think Doak will either move on loan or be sold if the right offer comes in, but even if he stays from what we have seen in preseason Rio is ahead of him. Only other young forward likely to be competing for minutes with him would be Will Wright. It feels inevitable that he is going to get an opportunity at some point for whatever reason and if he shows anything like he has shown in preseason at that point it IMO becomes difficult not to keep him involved.

Think Peterbread made a fair point, considering he's in such good form it makes more sense to get him involved now, harness the momentum. He's buzzing, the fans are buzzing, let's use it to our advantage. If it is too soon for him, send him back to the youth teams, highlight what he needs to work on.

On current form, say we are drawing against Newcastle or Arsenal and need a late goal, who would you rather see come on Ngumoha or Chiesa? (Not saying Rio is better than Chiesa BTW)

In terms of keeping him grounded, I'm not sure that will be an issue. Slot has already called him out publicly for not passing when he could easily have just sang his praises, so I don't think he'd let him get too carried away.

Finally, if we do get Isak he won't be match fit so maybe not ready to start. Ekitike is still unproven and Slot hadn't shown much faith in Chiesa, so even if we did plan on sending Ngumoha back to the reserves, we might have no choice but to use him early on while our new signings get up to speed.

[SB]

Lyrics
Moving on the floor now, babe
You're a bird of paradise
Cherry ice cream smile
I suppose it's very nice
With a step to your left and a flick to the right
You catch that mirror way out west
You know you're something special
And you look like you're the best
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines, she really shows you all she can
Oh, Rio, Rio, dance across the Rio Grande
I've seen you on the beach and I've seen you on TV
Two of a billion stars, it means so much to me
Like a birthday or a pretty view
But then I'm sure that you know it's just for you
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines, she really shows you all she can
Oh, Rio, Rio, dance across the Rio Grande
Hey now, ooh, look at that, did she nearly run you down?
At the end of the drive, the lawmen arrive
You make me feel alive, alive, alive
I'll take my chance, 'cause luck is on my side or something
I know what you're thinking
I'll tell you something, I know what you're thinking
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twists across a dusty land
And when she shines, she really shows you all she can
Oh, Rio, Rio, dance across the Rio Grande
Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand
And I might find her if I'm looking like I can
Oh, Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land
From mountains in the north down to the Rio Grande

Those bit could possibly fit his long with a bit of work like “ from Anfield in the north that Rio sure is grand”

[SB]

I’ve noticed his general play looks much better not just looking to take on every player and do it himself.

He’s definitely bulked up a bit as well.

Yeah the change in his physic is really obvious isn’t it. Imagine him at 21, a big strong lad resembling John Barnes

[peterbread]

The improvement I’ve seen already since he joined us is nothing short of incredible. If he continues this same trajectory & can avoid any bad injuries the sky really is the limit.

I’ve noticed his general play looks much better not just looking to take on every player and do it himself.

He’s definitely bulked up a bit as well.

[SB]

His name is Rio and he dances down the wing.

He cuts inside and scores and makes the kopites sing.

We pinched the lad from Chelsea’s academy

And boy oh boy did you hear them whinge

[Buzzo]

Seen it referenced in an article earlier, but wasn't sure if the journo was just a Duran Duran fan.

What's the last line BTW?

His name is Rio and he dances down the wing.

He cuts inside and scores and makes the kopites sing.

[SB]

The improvement I’ve seen already since he joined us is nothing short of incredible. If he continues this same trajectory & can avoid any bad injuries the sky really is the limit.

[vlahka]

I generally dont get excited too much with young players since they're usually still young and evolving. But I've decided after watching him a few times that I've not been this impressed since I watched Ronaldo as a teenager. Not saying he's the next ronaldo, just that I'm extremely excited to watch him play and expect him to do crazy well.

[Exiled_red]

I don't see him starting many games (other than League Cup and FA Cup) but his pace and directness are an attribute. I can see him coming off the bench late in games against tired defenders, maybe not from the start of the season but at some point

We have a relatively large squad probably 20 senior players who will be expecting to be in the match day squads so that limits the number of places in the squad available for youngsters when everyone is fit, so my feeling is that at the start of the season it will be easier for him not to be involved initially, keep him grounded after a good pre-season etc.

But looking at the squad we currently only have 5 senior forwards (Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike, Chiesa and Nunez) it looks like Nunez will leave and we are hoping to sign Isak., keeping it at 5, Chiesa didn't play much last season and could be on his way so, there is also the fact Salah will be away for a month, add to that the usual injuries/suspensions etc and it feels like there are minutes there for someone. I would expect Danns, Koumas, Gordon to be out on loan. I think Doak will either move on loan or be sold if the right offer comes in, but even if he stays from what we have seen in preseason Rio is ahead of him. Only other young forward likely to be competing for minutes with him would be Will Wright. It feels inevitable that he is going to get an opportunity at some point for whatever reason and if he shows anything like he has shown in preseason at that point it IMO becomes difficult not to keep him involved.