Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

[Olé Olé]

Maybe I'm a biased Ireland supporter (I am) but honestly the environment became so bad for Ferguson to thrive. A heatmap would show Brighton and their shuffling of the ball in and around the centre circle all game long. The amount of backwards and sideways passes Dunk and Gilmour were engaging in was mad. I think Dunk was and may still be up the top of successful passes listing in the league. The style of play allied with the man management of Ferguson which, from the outside looking in, seemed weird would be enough for me to conclude this is good for Ferguson.

[SkStu]

Maybe I'm a biased Ireland supporter (I am) but honestly the environment became so bad for Ferguson to thrive. A heatmap would show Brighton and their shuffling of the ball in and around the centre circle all game long. The amount of backwards and sideways passes Dunk and Gilmour were engaging in was mad. I think Dunk was and may still be up the top of successful passes listing in the league. The style of play allied with the man management of Ferguson which, from the outside looking in, seemed weird would be enough for me to conclude this is good for Ferguson.

I agree Ole. I think DeZerbi is a bit of a spoofer as I’ve pointed out on here a few times. His squad management in general is really haphazard and his in game management seems almost unsettling. Although I watch them for Ferguson, I see the impacts of his approach applied way beyond just him.

[seanfhear]

Let's hope Brighton get a good manager ~ For the sake of the Irish players there.

[Eirambler]

McKenna will be high on their shortlist I'd say. Looking less and less likely that he'll still be at Ipswich next season. You'd fear for Ipswich in the Premier League without him.

[seanfhear]

McKenna will be high on their shortlist I'd say. Looking less and less likely that he'll still be at Ipswich next season. You'd fear for Ipswich in the Premier League without him.Even with McKenna ~ The premier league would be a tough assignment.

[mark12345]

When you want to be a top 10 PL side and Danny Welbeck is you're starting CF then you know you're in trouble, Brighton have totally made the right call.

And yet Wellbeck is the second choice striker at the club, behind Joao Pedro. Puts Ferguson's place in the team in perspective, doesn't it?

[Demesne Lad]

Let's hope Brighton get a good manager ~ For the sake of the Irish players there.

Might be Nice's Francesco Farioli
OGC Nice establish shortlist to replace Brighton and Ajax target Francesco Farioli - Get French Football News (getfootballnewsfrance.com) (https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/ogc-nice-establish-shortlist-to-replace-brighton-and-ajax-target-francesco-farioli/)

[Colbert Report]

He's being linked with a £50 million move to Manchester United.

[Jolly Red Giant]

He's being linked with a £50 million move to Manchester United.
Can't see Brighton selling him for £50m - they know his potential and that he could be worth double that if he hits the ground running this season.

[JR89]

Also doubt United have £50M to spend unless Brighton are willing to let them pay in installments. I'd say they're on the edge of the ffp fence.

[Razors left peg]

Also doubt United have £50M to spend unless Brighton are willing to let them pay in installments. I'd say they're on the edge of the ffp fence.

United could afford him right now, but that money is currently set aside for a midfielder. Been listening to quite a few podcasts on how it works and its complicated to say the least. I think the sale of Wan Bisaka freed up the amortization needed for De Ligt and Mazraoui but if they wanted to sign a midfielder and Ferguson they'd probably have to sell McTomminay as that would be all profit for the PSR rules.... so its doable if they really want him

[tetsujin1979]

They already have two players out injured before the new season even starts, I can't see them getting another injured player in

[Razors left peg]

They already have two players out injured before the new season even starts, I can't see them getting another injured player in

Yeah I don't think it will happen, but I think it is financially possible for them

[pineapple stu]

Linked with a loan move to Brentford. Bit out of the blue. If it gets him regular Premier League starts again, then it can't be too bad a thing

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/evan-ferguson-linked-with-a-move-away-from-brighton-in-final-days-of-transfer-window/a477185851.html

[Diggs246]

Linked with a loan move to Brentford. Bit out of the blue. If it gets him regular Premier League starts again, then it can't be too bad a thing

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/evan-ferguson-linked-with-a-move-away-from-brighton-in-final-days-of-transfer-window/a477185851.html

"100million player" to being on loan?

I mean what is going on, if this is right. Surely Brighton need him this season

[CraftyToePoke]

"100million player" to being on loan?

I mean what is going on, if this is right. Surely Brighton need him this season

It means neither Brighton or Brentford really want him if its true.
Which, from where he was a year ago, and where Pineappler & I will have to disagree, is all round bad.
This can't be true, I know we're deluded on here but hopefully this story just goes away.

[Eirambler]

I don't think it would be a bad thing necessarily. Brentford will be short if Toney goes and will need to fill the gap at least until January. Brighton have made excellent signings up front to be fair to them and probably have one more than they need right now. Ferguson needs more regular football than he'll maybe get at Brighton in the next few months. I can see how it could make sense for everyone.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, that's my view of it alright. I don't mind too much who he plays for so long as he's getting games (and not dropping a division of course).

Certainly it's not what you'd have seen when he was banging in a hat-trick against Newcastle 12 months ago. But it gives him a chance to prove he's an option for Brighton - or a comparable team.

All if it goes through of course. Just a rumour for now.

[elatedscum]

I could see it happen. Brighton have some other excellent young players on loan (Barco and Buonanotte).

I think Brighton have started the season with a 4-2-3-1:

Wellbeck up top, Mitoma and Minteh on the wings. And Joao Pedro just behind Wellbeck.

You’ve got Adingra who’s another excellent winger. You’ve got Rutter who they’ve just bought for £40m who can play in any of the 4 attacking positions. You’ve got Matt O’Riley who is signing from Celtic for £25m and if he gets into the team will probably push Joao Pedro higher up the pitch. Then finally you’ve got Enciso who’s another incredibly promising attacking player.

Right now, it’s working really well with Wellbeck (2), Mitoma, Adinga and Pedro all scoring so far.

Personally if I was picking my Brighton team, I’d have Ferguson leading the line - but they’ve basically got 9 players for 4 positions - so maybe they think he needs the regular game time after a disrupted season.

Meanwhile, Brentford are desperate to offload Toney with a year left on his contract. They envisaged Igor Thiago being his replacement but a knee injury in preseason ruled him out till January. They’ve still other good attackers there: Wissa, Mbeumo, Schade and Carvalho. But I think they’re definitely in need of a quality striker till January, so maybe it’s the best of both worlds.

Evan replaces Ivan Toney for 3 months and then comes back to Brighton as first choice either in January or June

[Razors left peg]

I think Ferguson is a little bit under the radar at the moment. He got injured in that Newcastle game where he got the hattrick and he was never right afterwards. The class he showed before that was at a higher level than anything I've seen from Hojlund yet, for example. The layoff he's had shows how seriously injured he was last season.

I fully expect Ferguson to be brilliant this season once he gets back. I'll be very surprised if Brentford manage to grab him, but if they do I still think they'll make a massive profit on him within a couple of years

[elatedscum]

I can’t imagine Brighton allowing anything other than a loan at least this season. If he were to go to Brentford or Southampton or wherever on loan and really struggle - then I could see them cutting ties for a decent fee.

But right now, he’s still a 20 goal season from being back to that £100m valuation considering his age and ability.

For me, the only issue is how his pace holds up when it comes to injuries and natural bulking up. At 16, he looked like he might become that Haaland type big blocky speed. Didn’t quite happen even though he did get quicker from 14-17. And he’s not slow but he’s a tick shy of being quick. However, if he loses a yard of pace early in his career the pathway to becoming an elite striker is a lot harder.

[Razors left peg]

As someone said to me earlier.... this is a big season ahead for Ferguson, bigger than it really should have been

[JR89]

I can't see Brighton loaning out someone that 1) is still working his way back to fitness and 2) has just come off a season impacted by injuries.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Ferguson is going nowhere - once he is fit again he will be a key player for Brighton

[Razors left peg]

Hes in the Brighton squad for the EFL Cup game tonight

[tetsujin1979]

Named as a substitute, alongside Mark O'Mahony
1828488900677115970

[JR89]

Good that he's back just in time for the international break.

[Rayzor]

Been linked now to Arsenal and City.
1828736029546701198

[pineapple stu]

"Catches the eye" is a bizarre phrase! As if he's done something sat in the treatment room the last five months that he didn't do when becoming one of the youngest players ever to score a Premier League hat-trick.

Couple more twists and turns left in this transfer window I think - not necessarily for Ferguson, but we've a few players looking for moves yet.

[weldoninhio]

Lads, it's the last few days of the transfer window and the rags have to fill the back pages. Take a chill pill. Happens every season. Crazy rumours that have no basis in reality.

[pineapple stu]

Not in the Brighton squad today, despite being on the bench (against Crawley) midweek. Presume he has to be a big doubt for the Nations League games next week.

[texidub]

I weouldn't play him against England either way at this stage. Likely to be some niggle in the game and he should be being eased back in at club and inetrnational level. If he's fit, maybe 20 mins at the end against Greece.

[elatedscum]

Not a great sign that he can’t make the squad… Hopefully will change in due course but it seems like first choice and back up line up is:

Minteh (Adingra)
Pedro (O’Reilly)
Mitoma (Rutter)

Wellbeck (Enciso)

[JR89]

I weouldn't play him against England either way at this stage. Likely to be some niggle in the game and he should be being eased back in at club and inetrnational level. If he's fit, maybe 20 mins at the end against Greece.

If you wouldn't play him against England why play him against Greece. England is somewhat of a free hit while Greece is a must win. Can't afford to carry any passengers and from him getting zero minutes at home against Crawley to not being picked today I'd be calling up someone else and letting him at home to recover.

[texidub]

Prefaced by a 'maybe' but fair point. Time for Parrot (especially) and Idah to shine!

[pineapple stu]

If you wouldn't play him against England why play him against Greece.
Three days further down the recovery road I guess.

But yeah, not making the squad today indicates an injury concern still and I'd not at all be surprised to see Brighton withdraw him from international duty. (A cynic would even argue they left him out just to show how injured he was...)

A pity after the bit of hope of seeing him back in a squad midweek.

We have Sammie, Parrott, Idah, Obafemi and Robinson in the squad; probably don't need to add anyone there? Think you're looking at Cannon, Connolly and Keane next in line

Edit - actually Obafemi wasn't called up, though he's listed as such on the wiki page

[John83]

There's an argument to call up and cap-tie Cannon, but that seems not to be high on their priorities.

[mark12345]

Not in the Brighton squad today, despite being on the bench (against Crawley) midweek. Presume he has to be a big doubt for the Nations League games next week.

He's losing serious ground in the Brighton team right now. Has Wellbeck, Joao Pedro, Adringa and Minteh ahead of him. He has a battle on his hands to regain that starting spot he once had.

[liamoo11]

He's losing serious ground in the Brighton team right now. Has Wellbeck, Joao Pedro, Adringa and Minteh ahead of him. He has a battle on his hands to regain that starting spot he once had.

It was a shame there wasn't something in those Chelsea rumours. The way Chelsea play is made for a proper number 9 like ferguson.

[Olé Olé]

He's losing serious ground in the Brighton team right now. Has Wellbeck, Joao Pedro, Adringa and Minteh ahead of him. He has a battle on his hands to regain that starting spot he once had.

It is just Welbeck ahead of him. The others don't count, bar maybe Pedro at a push. But Welbeck is his competition. And himself and Welbeck have always rotated.

[elatedscum]

Enciso is being used as the alternative to Wellbeck ahead of him.

[Olé Olé]

Enciso is being used as the alternative to Wellbeck ahead of him.

For the last 5 minutes. Against Arsenal. A game they probably didn't feel Ferguson was ready for.

[Olé Olé]

Oh and Enciso hasn't scored a league goal since 22/23.

[elatedscum]

As a sub against United and Arsenal and also starting in the league cup. I thought overall he was very impressive in that game. He’s a 2004 kid like Evan but he’s very different, he’s quicker and more skillful, probably not as natural a goal scorer but an excellent prospect as well. Generally he’s played deeper in the past, in the position Joao Pedro is playing in, or occasionally out wide, but the new manager has moved him up front. In the medium term, Matt O’Reilly’s injury might help Evan as he seemed the backup to Pedro - so that might force a bit of a rejig.

Enciso got a really bad knee injury last year. Missed 23 league games cause of it, from August to February, which kind of ruined his season last year…

[jbyrne]

Not in the Brighton squad today, despite being on the bench (against Crawley) midweek. Presume he has to be a big doubt for the Nations League games next week.

trained with the squad today so looks to be ok for involvement

[irishfan86]

I’m sure once the new manager sees what a fully fit Ferguson does in training our worries will be put to bed. He’s an elite prospect and will be back in the Brighton team soon enough.

[Eirambler]

Yes, ability wise, Ferguson is the last Irish player I'd be concerned about. Injuries are the only real concern with him.

[Razors left peg]

I want Ferguson to start these 2 games based on how good he is, but the fact that he's not even had a preseason game would terrify me. Sub with at most 20 mins off the bench would probably be the best for him with the season ahead

[Snapshot]

I’m sure once the new manager sees what a fully fit Ferguson does in training our worries will be put to bed. He’s an elite prospect and will be back in the Brighton team soon enough.
The Brighton board will make a financial decision. Have a bob each way by selling Ferguson soon for a package reflecting last season’s sharp form drop coupled with a major injury - i.e.modest fee, big add-ons.
Alternatively, hope Ferguson returns, scores a lot and underscores super potential. There’s probably £50 million at stake.

[Acornvilla]

I want Ferguson to start these 2 games based on how good he is, but the fact that he's not even had a preseason game would terrify me. Sub with at most 20 mins off the bench would probably be the best for him with the season ahead

I'd be happy enough for him not to play at all, or to just have a cameo late v Greece. Needs his return to be managed properly after so many niggles and time out. Not sure what the point in calling him up was honestly bar a chance to hang out and work with the team, and if that's what it was, fair enough, may as well take the training time they can to work on stuff.