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England sends message to Rio Ngumoha as four players leave camp before World Cup

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England has thanked Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha as four players leave Thomas Tuchel's camp before its World Cup campaign kicks off against Croatia next WednesdayRio Ngumoha during the international friendly match between England and New Zealand in Tampa, Florida.(Image: Rich Storry/Getty Images)England has thanked Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha — in addition to Bournemouth's Alex Scott, Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri, and Fulham's Josh King — with their time with the Three Lions coming to an end.Each of the exciting young players bolstered Thomas Tuchel's squad in preparation for the World Cup getting underway, but none are in the 26-man group for the competition itself, and are now heading home as the tournament begins.Ngumoha had quite the time away in the US. The 17-year-old was Player of the Match as he made his senior debut against New Zealand and then scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Miami FC.The former Chelsea talent impressed in training and did well enough in public that plenty of fans were clamoring for him to get a chance when the World Cup kicks off for England.Having not been named in Tuchel's initial 55-man long-list, however, even if someone gets injured, Ngumoha could not be called up.That is the right decision for a player so young, whose minutes were carefully managed by Arne Slot last term.Content cannot be displayed without consent"His aim should be to continue learning at Liverpool, getting as much game time as possible, getting used to playing in the Premier League, and gaining as much experience as possible," Michael Owen told Liverpool.com this week."Learning from senior players and also enjoying your football and being brave, believe in your ability and create and score goals."This year, he played probably more than the club would have expected, in my opinion, with Cody Gakpo not performing to his best.



With injuries in the wide positions, this enabled Rio to have more game time."I have been impressed with him, the way he plays, his fearless nature, but as a club, Liverpool can’t expect to rely on such a young talent to deliver week in week out next season.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Well, if he performs, assists, and scores, then there is no reason he cannot have a big role next season and be involved regularly."But as I mentioned, he is a very young player.

At such a young age, he shouldn’t be the one relied on to deliver."Liverpool.com says: Ngumoha is a huge talent but it is the right decision not to take him to the World Cup. That would have been unnecessary pressure on him at such a young age.If he carries on the way he is heading, though, by the time the next World Cup comes around — or maybe even the European Championship in 2028 — he could be a regular.