England fans left questioning Rio Ngumoha decision after Bukayo Saka footage emerges
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Rio Ngumoha has made a big impression in the last week or so, but he can't take part in the World Cup because Thomas Tuchel opted for different options in wide areasRio Ngumoha during an England training session.(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA via Getty Images)Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha has made a big impression during his time with England this week, though he won't be featuring at the World Cup under Thomas Tuchel.The Three Lions boss took Ngumoha away for the pre-tournament training camp, and the 17-year-old was named the Player of the Match on his senior debut when he came on at half-time against New Zealand last weekend.Then, on Thursday, Ngumoha scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Miami FC, with Ivan Toney netting a hat-trick and Jordan Henderson and Ethan Nwaneri also getting on the scoresheet. It would be fair to say he has made the most of his opportunity.Ngumoha was not named in the initial 55-man squad that England put forward for the competition, though, so even if someone gets injured, he cannot take part when Tuchel's side kicks off its World Cup campaign competitively in the US.Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are the two right wingers in the squad, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon on the left.After a video of Saka emerged on social media, though, where he looked to be lacking speed and sharpness, some England fans inevitably thought that Ngumoha should be taken along, even though, at 17, that would be a step too soon.Content cannot be displayed without consentFans in the comments argued that Ngumoha has looked better than Saka this week, though the Arsenal man is likely to be in the starting XI when England takes on Croatia next week."Leave (Ngumoha) alone; let him develop," Liverpool legend John Barnes said on talkSPORT this week.
"First of all, he’s not even playing for Liverpool; he’s a sub for Liverpool."So until he gets in Liverpool’s team consistently and plays well, don’t put the pressure on him. That’s why I’m glad he never played a lot last year in a Liverpool team that may not have been doing well."Because if they’re not doing well and he suffers because of confidence and not playing, it could affect him.
If you’re not playing for Arsenal and Liverpool regularly, why are you going to be playing for England?"Ngumoha is a major talent, and he will be looking to show that more regularly next season at Anfield. Next season, he needs to steadily improve.At the moment, he does a lot of good things, but there are elements that need to take the next level.