Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

[elatedscum]

I don’t have any doubts about Evan’s ability - I just think Enciso would cost £40m right now. Fwiw all the stuff about Ferguson, you see about Enciso https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/06/25/chelsea-brighton-julio-enciso/amp/

I think Brighton see all of Minteh, Ferguson, Enciso, Barco, Baleba and Buonanotte, all born in 2004 as potential stars who they could sell for £50-100m in the next 3 years if they get the development right. If Ferguson loses game time to Enciso that’s an acceptable trade off if Enciso’s value increases and it helps them win games.

Evan is one of 9 really good attacking players currently in their squad. Personally I’d start him ahead of the other centre forwards but I’d worry what we’ve seen from the manager suggests that

a) tactically maybe he wants a more mobile and quicker striker than Ferguson - certainly looked that way in the 4 games they’ve played so far. the fact that Enciso has been changed from an attacking midfielder to a striker is worrying to me in that respect.

b) he’s been involved in full team training without any restrictions since 12th of august, seems to me likes he’s been ready for a few weeks if they wanted to use him

c) they had him on the bench in the league cup and played Mark O’Mahony ahead of him, they had an opportunity to start his return and didn’t. And if he wasn’t fit to play, he wouldn’t have been on the bench. Also the fact they choose to play O’Mahony as a 10 and Enciso as a 9 when O’Reilly got injured, it reinforced the idea that Enciso was starting there by choice rather than necessity.

d) if they were concerned he had issues over playing and didn’t want Evan to travel to Ireland, they could have refused his release. Cause he wasn’t in the squad for the Arsenal game, they had the right to block his travel

e) HH said that Brighton had no issues at all with his call up. Once again, sounds to me like someone who they think is ready to play football and hasn’t got that game time due to managerial selection

I just think it could easily be a frustrating few months waiting until someone picks up an injury.

They’re winning games, 7 points from Arsenal, United and Everton is very impressive. Wellbeck has scored 2 in 3, so has Pedro while winning multiple MOTM awards. Mitoma is their best player and one of the best left wingers in the league, Minteh has been a revelation so far. Rutter is their record signing. Adingra has also scored 2 and was Best Young Player at AFCON last season, winning MOTM in the quarter final and the final. And he did excellently when Mitoma was injured last season.

Then you’ve got Ferguson who we all know how good he is, Enciso who is an absolute live-wire and Matt O’Reilly who’s a lovely footballer.

Depth wise, that’s probably a top 4 or 5 attack.

[The Fly]

You make some good points there, but I think people are over-analysing things with Evan. He’s had no pre-season, and that’s the reason he hasn’t featured for Brighton so far.

[passinginterest]

You make some good points there, but I think people are over-analysing things with Evan. He’s had no pre-season, and that’s the reason he hasn’t featured for Brighton so far.

I think that's the key too. He was horribly managed last year, both at international and club level. I think it was borderline negligent how often he played through injury. His managers seemed to completely forget he was still just a teenager, probably still growing and continued to push him and play him. It's a positive sign to me, that he's been given time to recover properly and he's not being rushed back by the new Brighton manager. Hopefully he's not pushed to play 90 minutes in these international games either. With no pre-season and no minutes to date, I'd say 30 minutes and 45 minutes would be the max he should be playing in his first games back.

I remember seeing him directly after one of the Ireland games and he was in really bad shape, hobbling around like an auld lad after the weekly five a side, he had played 90 for Ireland and then also went and played 90 for Brighton the following weekend. It was clear his mobility was badly compromised, very evident off the pitch, but also noticeable on it. I really hope he's fully recovered now and he can get back to being the superstar we all hope he's going to be.

[pineapple stu]

Got the last six minutes of today's 0-0 draw with Brighton - his first game for them since the end of March.

[seanfhear]

Got the last six minutes of today's 0-0 draw with Brighton - his first game for them since the end of March. 0 - 0 against Ipswich.

[pineapple stu]

Whoops! Yeah, he hasn't swapped sides alright.

Szmodics and Ogbene fairly quiet for Ipswich - seems Brighton were much the better side throughout, but the Ipswich defence (O'Shea in particular) and their keeper were in great form to keep it scoreless.

[texidub]

Ferguson got one opportunity - lovely turn and a decent shot - just wide. Short but good cameo. Great to see him back getting minutes w/ Brighton. Could make all the difference in the upcoming windows.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Ferguson got one opportunity - lovely turn and a decent shot - just wide. Short but good cameo. Great to see him back getting minutes w/ Brighton. Could make all the difference in the upcoming windows.
Ferguson is a massive talent - and despite the recent setback, the one opportunity he had yesterday shows that he has all the probability of becoming one of the top strikers in the PL (and probably the best we've ever had).

[Olé Olé]

Starts v Wolves in EFL cup.

[texidub]

Some lovely touches, holding the ball up well, looking sharp and hungry. A goal would top off a very good performance so far.

Matt Doherty with a well worked assist in the same game. Maybe he's awakening from his recent slumber?

[mark12345]

Ferguson got one opportunity - lovely turn and a decent shot - just wide. Short but good cameo. Great to see him back getting minutes w/ Brighton. Could make all the difference in the upcoming windows.

Ferguson won't make the difference for Ireland. Ferguson and Kane and Messi together wouldn't make the difference for Ireland because we have no ability to create chances. Evidence of this is the lack of goals we score. We were always lacking in this department and we are worse than ever right now with no solution in sight.

[texidub]

Ferguson won't make the difference for Ireland. Ferguson and Kane and Messi together wouldn't make the difference for Ireland because we have no ability to create chances. Evidence of this is the lack of goals we score. We were always lacking in this department and we are worse than ever right now with no solution in sight.

I wouldn't go that far. He holds the ball up better than any other player - that's just one difference right there. we do create some chances but we're a bit toothless up front at times. ferguson has that bit extra that can make a difference.

[Stuttgart88]

Three very presentable chances vs England, despite a general battering. Molumby header very early, then Szmodics and Molumby from 15-20 yards but with time to be more accurate. I'd have fancied Ferguson to do better with either and he is also capable of making a bit of room for himself that our others can't. I think he'll improve us at the margins.

[tetsujin1979]

50th Premier League appearance for Ferguson today
1840060117175173457

[tetsujin1979]

1842994682651164811

[elatedscum]

Difficult situation he finds himself in. Played 22 minutes of league football since the last international window. 5 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes and 0 minutes in the 4 league games.

Not enough football to ever actually find any rhythm at all - and as a result he looks so out of form that you’d never choose him over an in form Wellbeck.

You’re hoping for an injury to someone else - or for him to get a start in the league cup against Liverpool and for it magically all to click

[irishfan86]

Ultimately I’m not too worried. I feel like worst case scenario he ends up getting a loan or transfer to another club and his talent will come through. Depending on the move it could even be a step up. Even if a bit of a hiccup he will have plenty of chances at Brighton.

[Eirambler]

I can kind of see where the story about a loan to Brentford came from. Might still need a move of some sort in January to get things going again. Is it safe to assume there's no long term knock on issue with the injury at play here - anything that might permanently limit his potential ceiling?

[texidub]

starts today v newcastle... feels like a long time coming!

[Olé Olé]

Hopefully the international games did him lots of good. Up top with Welbeck too so won't be isolated.

[rebelmusic]

Was a ghost in the game by all accounts. Starting to think he needs a loan move to get past the goal drought

[texidub]

He didn't see much of the ball, tbh. His touch maybe a little less accurate than usual but that's nit picking. Brighton sat back a lot as a unit in the first half. Goal was against run of play. Mitoma only a sub.. I stopped watching when Ferguson went off.

[Acornvilla]

3 starts in a week or so will do him the world of good at least, even if he comes off the bench next match, hopefully he's far more ready to make an impact and things will come good soon.

[texidub]

Agreed. I know pros just dust themselves off and go again, but the fooker of a referee that disallowed Evan's goal for Ireland really done him dirty. We'd be having a different conversation... and he is starting to look a little frustrated.

[rebelmusic]

Woo hoo just scored a beauty!

[Eirambler]

Finally!

Two Irish strikers scoring in the Premier League in the same day - just a shame about Ogbene.

[Olé Olé]

Fantastic goal. A typical Ferguson goal.

[Eirambler]

Some going from Brighton to blow the win from that position all the same.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Some going from Brighton to blow the win from that position all the same.
You get the vibe that they are developing the same soft underbelly that they had under Potter.

[Snapshot]

You get the vibe that they are developing the same soft underbelly that they had under Potter.
Soft underbelly? Probably their greatest manager, kept them competitive in the EPL.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Soft underbelly? Probably their greatest manager, kept them competitive in the EPL.
Brighton under Potter were noted for having a soft underbelly - Brighton fans openly have this view. Potter's three seasons at Brighton they finished 15th, 16th and 9th - and the 9th placed finish was on the back of getting 11 points from the last five games. Potter was/is very overrated. Hughton kept Brighton in the PL for two seasons with a Championship squad and De Zerbi took a squad out of which almost £150m worth of talent was sold and got them to 6th place - the following season they sold another £160+m worth of talent and he had them in the Europa League and 9th or better for the entire season in the PL until they ran out of steam in the last month of so and lost 4 of their last 6 games (he got rid of the soft underbelly). Now Hurzeler is doing well so far - but his squad got an injection of £200m worth of talent this offseason.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Brighton showed their soft underbelly again today.

[tetsujin1979]

Away from home, against the league leaders.
Soft indeed

[pineapple stu]

Linked with a move to Fulham or Leicester in January.

https://www.balls.ie/football/evan-ferguson-leicester-fulham-616814

[seanfhear]

Linked with a move to Fulham or Leicester in January.

https://www.balls.ie/football/evan-ferguson-leicester-fulham-616814
Not quite the level of clubs, that he was rumoured about before his injury !

[jbyrne]

being offered for loan it appears...
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/brighton-make-60m-rated-evan-ferguson-available-on-loan-in-january/a360942644.html

[Eirambler]

Makes sense - Brighton are a top half Premier League team and he's not a top half Premier League player yet. But he needs games. Would imagine there will be plenty of interest in him from further down the table and abroad. A shame the rumoured loan move to Brentford didn't go through at the end of the last window, they needed a striker and he would have fitted in well there I think.

[Predator]

He should look to the example of Gyokeres, who languished at Brighton before flourishing at Coventry City and earning a move to Champions League side Sporting.

[SkStu]

He should look to the example of Gyokeres, who languished at Brighton before flourishing at Coventry City and earning a move to Champions League side Sporting.

True - but it is hard not to feel even a little bit disappointed after the run he had last season. Those injuries really impacted him, his confidence and his standing in the team/squad.

[Eirambler]

I wouldn't worry about it too much, he's just turned 20. Hardly any strikers are at that level at that age. There's always going to be a few bumps along the road. The main thing is that he is playing regularly wherever he goes, he will need to get reassurances that he's being signed as a first choice at his loan club.

[Olé Olé]

Dan McDonnell is right. This is about maintaining and enhancing the value and the player. Rutter, Welbeck and Joao Pedro are rotating between them. Ferguson has scored a couple of goals now in the last couple of weeks. Both goals showed quality. He can play himself into form and bring himself on with a loan.

Will be interesting to see where. Leicester is manager dependent. Fulham could be an interesting move. Reports in Italy linking Juventus.

[elatedscum]

Rangers are reportedly chasing his signature according to the Scottish papers. I'd say Bohs have a greater shot of re-signing him than Rangers do. Celtic also linked

[Olé Olé]

Rangers are reportedly chasing his signature according to the Scottish papers. I'd say Bohs have a greater shot of re-signing him than Rangers do. Celtic also linked

Well, Barry Ferguson is his dad after all.

[jbyrne]

being offered for loan it appears...
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/brighton-make-60m-rated-evan-ferguson-available-on-loan-in-january/a360942644.html

or maybe not....

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/im-happy-he-is-here-brighton-boss-denies-evan-ferguson-will-be-sent-out-on-loan-in-january/a1052238566.html

[Eirambler]

The manager talking as though it's completely his decision, which it most likely isn't. If he wants him around for the second half of the season he needs to start playing him. Brighton as a club know what they're doing, if they feel he's losing value to them they'll loan him out regardless of what their manager wants. Managers always look at things in the short term and want extra cover in positions, but clubs like Brighton tend to take a longer term view.

[seanfhear]

The manager talking as though it's completely his decision, which it most likely isn't. If he wants him around for the second half of the season he needs to start playing him. Brighton as a club know what they're doing, if they feel he's losing value to them they'll loan him out regardless of what their manager wants. Managers always look at things in the short term and want extra cover in positions, but clubs like Brighton tend to take a longer term view.Clubs last longer than managers ~ obviously.

[tetsujin1979]

Clubs last longer than managers ~ obviously.
Clubs last longer than fans

[SkStu]

Clubs last longer than fans

Sporting Fingal has entered the chat.

[Buckett]

Had Fingal any fans?

[Jolly Red Giant]

The manager talking as though it's completely his decision, which it most likely isn't. If he wants him around for the second half of the season he needs to start playing him. Brighton as a club know what they're doing, if they feel he's losing value to them they'll loan him out regardless of what their manager wants. Managers always look at things in the short term and want extra cover in positions, but clubs like Brighton tend to take a longer term view.
I agree - from a business perspective you want to boost Ferguson's value and you do that by getting him more playing time - either at Brighton or out on loan. There are at least half a dozen PL clubs that would benefit from a striker of Ferguson's quality - no way he goes to Scotland.

Anyway - Hurzeler didn't exactly say he wasn't going on loan - he said that it hasn't come up in conversations with Ferguson. He said that if Ferguson works hard and is ready he will get his chances. Rumours that West Ham might look to buy him in January - can't see that happening. Brighton know Ferguson's potential and would want way more than West Ham would be willing to spend (and Brighton don't need to sell). The kid only turned 20 a few weeks ago - there is no rush with him (from a Brighton or Ireland perspective). Wellbeck is 34 and is playing the best football of his career - but he won't keep Ferguson out indefinitely.