Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha credits Saka and Gordon for his development
Rio Ngumoha, the 18-year-old Liverpool winger, revealed after the Reds' 2-1 Premier League victory over Brentford that he has been inspired by Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Barcelona's Anthony Gordon, describing them as top wingers. Speaking in his post-match interview, Ngumoha said playing on the right wing felt good for England, but watching Saka and Gordon helps him improve, adding, 'Training with them every day and just seeing what they do, that can really help me, and I take some of the stuff they tell me on board, and it is really helpful.'
The teenager, who is an England teammate of both Saka and Gordon, joined Liverpool from Chelsea in 2024. His acknowledgment of learning from elite peers underscores how young players accelerate development by observing and emulating established stars in training and matches. For aspiring footballers, studying the techniques, work ethic, and decision-making of top-tier contemporaries can complement formal coaching and accelerate growth on the pitch.
Which player’s style do you try to emulate when working on your own game, and how do you apply those lessons in training or weekend matches?