The Mec interest came 2 weeks after Rio left, It was the club reacting to losing him so this is incorrect imo.
For me, Rio’s departure was likely a few things. I don’t doubt the recruitment drive in the early 12 months wasn’t a factor - it would have been
…but we also can’t deny the timing of the Cobham chaos when everyone left (Neil bath left in July 2024). It was a very unsettling time full of uncertainty etc
The pathway was actually quite good at Chelsea at the time I think - Liverpools was actually worse.
We’d also just qualified for conference league etc (so would have likely promised some mins in negotiations)
At the time, Chelsea were also taking a strong path towards 1) generally playing young players and 2) promoting youth in house - Colwill, Gallagher and hall all around the first team
With the info coming out in the recent charges (and subsequent academy ban) we can now all see WHY bath etc all left too (and haven’t rocked up elsewhere)
So in conclusion - for me, it was more a timing thing, a cumulation of factors
It was ridiculously unfortunate more than anything imo. I remember Alex Goldberg even stating that Chelsea tried everything to convince him and even offered more money than Liverpool.
We also lost mcaidoo at the same time from memory. Horrible duo to lose off both wings too.
On a positive note, they were the last high profile young players to leave Cobham (not sign a scholarship etc)
Cobham has stabilised a lot and is continuing to produce so credit to the club for that tbh.
If Rio was coming through now, he’d stay imo.
This is why I remain Adamant that we fucked up big time, losing a talent like this
Focus was on kids abroad, same level of care was not applied at home
Nguhoma has player of the season potential
Him and Musiala together! This is BOLD from Bayern
Ppl will drop "but a contract was offered" but you mean to tell me, offering a contract when you was actively lookin to buy Mec from Gremio is gonna give Nguhoma confidence to sign?
The reality simply is, the clubs initial plan to hoard as many young talents as possible has RIGHTFULLY been exposed.
End of the day, if we sold Nguhoma the same treatment we sold Estevao, he would still be here and we'd have the 2 best future wingers down each side, for the next decade
I dont get why im the only one who gets upset by talents like this leavin