In what is one of the most difficult positions in the game of football, Evan Ferguson made it look like child’s play during his debut season in the Premier League. The Irish international was scoring for fun and had ex-Premier League legends praising his abilities, including Newcastle United great and Premier League top scorer Alan Shearer. Since then, things haven’t prospered for Ferguson. Injuries and form impacted his progress while the departure of Roberto De Zerbi put the Dublin born striker’s position into question. Is his future lying with the Seagull’s or does Ferguson follow the footsteps of other young strikers in venturing into Europe to progress his career?
The Rise of Ferguson
As a product of St Kevin’s Boys in Dublin, Ferguson burst onto the scene when he joined Bohemians (‘Bohs’). Karl Lamb coached Ferguson for eight years at St Kevin’s Boys and he could see that there was something special in the youngster.
“Physically, Evan has always been a big lad, but he played football technically, tactically and in terms of decision making, miles ahead of other people,”.
“He rarely relied on his physique. He would see something and try it, and that followed him all the way through.”
Joining ‘Bohs’ allowed him to develop his skills and compete amongst top talents in Dublin. He played with the under 15 and 17 sides and earned international caps with Ireland with all ages up to under 16. Whilst at the club, Ferguson was quickly promoted to the senior side and earned a memorable debut against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea in 2019. At just fourteen years of age, Ferguson was a second half substitute and it didn’t take long for him to make an impression as he set up the equaliser for the home side and earn his team a historic draw against Chelsea. Although it was just a pre-season friendly, his performance didn’t go unnoticed. After the game, ‘Bohs’ manager at the time, Keith Long, praised the teenager and admitted that his future would be away from Dublin.
“It was an opportunity to come in and play and give him a taste what the future may hold for him.”
Liverpool were keen on the young striker but it was Brighton and Hove Albion who beat off the competition for his signature. At the age of 16, Ferguson moved to Brighton and within nine months, he had made his first appearance against Cardiff City in the League Cup. After impressing with the youth and reserve sides, Graham Potter handed him his Premier League debut in 3-0 defeat to Burnley in February 2022. Once Potter left for Chelsea in September 2022, it was Roberto De Zerbi who helped Ferguson’s career progress further. His first Premier League goal came against Arsenal in a 4-2 defeat in December 2022 and he added five more goals to his 2022/23 debut season.
In the 2023/24 season, Ferguson made 27 appearances and scored six goals, including a hattrick against Newcastle. His impressive performances earned him a new five and a half year contract with the club in November 2023 and Roberto De Zerbi praised the teenager’s progression with the Seagulls.
“Evan deserves this new contract and he has a very big future ahead of him,”.
Ferguson’s Struggles.
With the excitement and anticipation around Ferguson’s future, many were wondering what could be next for the talented Irish teen. Rumours of a potential transfer to Man United and Chelsea were hot in the press while Ireland were tipping him to be next big prospect of the national side. An ankle injury in April hampered the development of Ferguson and it ended his season prematurely.
Prior to this injury, Ferguson had lost some form and hadn’t scored a goal since the 25th of November, 2023. This drought ultimately cost him his place in the starting eleven and it wouldn’t be until February until he regained a run of fixtures in the starting lineup. The ankle injury he picked up in April set him back and he would’t see game time again until September when he came on in the final ten minutes against England at the Aviva Stadium.
So far this season, Ferguson has played in seven Premier League games, starting just once and scoring just once. His is playing second fiddle to Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck who have been in fine form for the Seagulls this season. The lack of games are curtailing the progress of Ferguson and he will have to decide whether to fight for a starting place or look for a loan to another club for much needed game time.
What’s Next?
Under new head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, it’s clear that Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck are ahead of Ferguson in the pecking order. They have ten goals between them and have fired Brighton into fifth place in the league. Ferguson is only an option for Hurzeler now and he will need to recapture his form somehow in order to reach his potential. Regular game time is the answer and he may well have to leave on loan to achieve this.
It has been reported this week that Brighton will allow Ferguson to leave on loan in January to search for valuable minutes. The question remains where the best option would be. Irish teammate Troy Parrot left the comforts of English football and regained his love for the game in the Netherlands. Currently playing with AZ Alkmaar, Parrot has eight goals and two assists in seventeen appearances this season and is excelling in the Dutch league. This example shows that there is life beyond the Premier League for Ferguson and a spell abroad might be the best option for the twenty year old.
Youssoufa Moukoko (Nice), Vitor Roque (Real Betis) and Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich) are examples of top strikers who are impressing in Europe and have been given valuable game time to develop their careers. Ferguson would benefit by playing in a new league and help restart his development. Erling Haaland learned his trade in stints at Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund before deciding to move to the Premier League. This period in Europe allowed him to find himself in the position and improve under different conditions to that of the Premier League. Now, Haaland and Ferguson are incomparable at present but there is so much potential still to unlock within the Irish forward.
There are clubs in the Premier League that are interested in signing Ferguson on loan in January. Fulham and Leicester City are two clubs hinting at acquiring his signature for a short term loan but he will have to determine if they are the right moves. Leicester City are in a relegation battle and are currently without a manager while Fulham have Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz in their squads which would make it a challenge for Ferguson to earn his way into the side.
Evan Ferguson is without a doubt one of Ireland’s top footballing talents. He started with so much promise and there is still a vast amount of potential to be seen in his long career. He is at a critical point in his development and he will need to be playing regular football to reach his potential. With a short term loan looking likely and the destination yet to be determined, it will be an important decision in the young man’s journey. Regardless of his choice, we all want to see him back to best again.
