Evan Ferguson F Roma (loan from Brighton) b.2004

[Razors left peg]

Roma seems to be the preferred offloading point for Premier League teams trying to get rid of their underperforming squad players just now.

https://romapress.net/rasmus-hojlund-proposed-to-roma-on-loan/

Would they want both Ferguson and Hojlund?

Can't imagine they'd sign both. Thats the first I've seen of Roma being linked with Hojlund, its Inter that hes supposedly being linked with all summer so far

[mark12345]

Can't imagine they'd sign both. Thats the first I've seen of Roma being linked with Hojlund, its Inter that hes supposedly being linked with all summer so far

Not pertaining to Evan but similar in some respects in that he is a very promising young Irish prospect on his way to a big club........David Dunne (U-16) Irish international has been signed by Monaco. He will be officially unveiled on July 15 by the French club but Cork City already announcing the news.

[Rayzor]

Looks like Ferguson to Roma is happening, seems like they are buying him instead of a loan. Probably best all round, at West ham he looked like he needed minutes to recover form and confidence and was never going to get that as a loan signing.

[zero]

Looks like Ferguson to Roma is happening, seems like they are buying him instead of a loan. Probably best all round, at West ham he looked like he needed minutes to recover form and confidence and was never going to get that as a loan signing.

yeah was just reading the same - surprised it's a full transfer. a huge move for the lad if it goes through, shades of robbie to inter milan i suppose.

[Eirambler]

yeah was just reading the same - surprised it's a full transfer. a huge move for the lad if it goes through, shades of robbie to inter milan i suppose.

In that he'll likely be in the north of England within a year?

[SkStu]

In that he'll likely be in the north of England within a year?

I'd say if it goes well, he'll be "sold" to Everton by the Friedkins.

[seanfhear]

Looks like Ferguson to Roma is happening, seems like they are buying him instead of a loan. Probably best all round, at West ham he looked like he needed minutes to recover form and confidence and was never going to get that as a loan signing.Best of luck to the lad, I hope it all works out well for him.

[nigel-harps1954]

Suggestions of a €45m fee, which would be fairly outrageous for an underperforming youngster.

Still, you'd imagine Bohs could be set for a bit of a windfall out of any sell on clause.

[Rayzor]

Looks like if Roma buy him it will be close too or will be their record signing. With that amount of money invested and Gasperini being a very attacking coach could be a great move for him.

[Razors left peg]

Suggestions of a €45m fee, which would be fairly outrageous for an underperforming youngster.

Still, you'd imagine Bohs could be set for a bit of a windfall out of any sell on clause.

You'd hope that they have an understanding of the problem last year and they think it is fixable. If he performs they double their money

[pineapple stu]

Suggestions of a €45m fee, which would be fairly outrageous for an underperforming youngster.
Yeah, huge pressure for a guy who has three goals in the last 20 months if that's the price. He could thrive in it, but he won't get much patience from the fans if he gets off to a slow start you'd imagine

[Exgrad]

There is no way Roma are paying 45m for Evan Ferguson. Inter have just signed Bonny from Parma for 24m, Ferguson fee, if he goes, will be somewhere around that.

[tetsujin1979]

Maybe not, but Brighton have a history of holding out until they get a price they consider acceptable, and Ferguson is contracted to them until 2029, so they're under no pressure to sell

[Exgrad]

Its hard to hold out on a player everyone knows you want to move on, its over a year since he's been an important part of their squad.

[Eirambler]

Maybe not, but Brighton have a history of holding out until they get a price they consider acceptable, and Ferguson is contracted to them until 2029, so they're under no pressure to sell

Given that it sounds like they have been offering him to everyone and anyone I'm not sure that's true in this case. They seem to have made their decision to move him on so their hand isn't as strong as usual here.

[Razors left peg]

I wonder if zefi been there is an influence

Apparently Zefi played for Sligo tonight

[pineapple stu]

Ferguson to Sligo!

(Zefi scored too, FWIW)

[Eirambler]

Zefi finally finding his level then. I think there was a brief moment about four or five years ago where Ferguson and Zefi were seen as the two biggest emerging prospects in Irish football. Zefi was being wildly overrated at the time based on Ireland underage performances.

[Eirambler]

Also a bit concerning that Brighton are reported to be trying to insist on an obligation to buy rather than an option to buy in the Roma deal. They really do seem to want to get rid of him completely, which would again suggest they might know things about him in terms of long term injury effects etc. that others at this stage don't know about.

[Jolly Red Giant]

My read is that this is initially a loan deal with an option to buy - the €45m is the option to buy price. The £28m (€35m) figure was based on an obligation to buy. The problem here is that Ferguson has a contract with Brighton up to 2029 - he will at least want that contract honoured (and rightly so) - effectively Brighton will have to buy him out to some degree. Ferguson hasn't demanded a transfer and has no obligation to agree to an 'obligation to buy' clause in the deal unless he is guaranteed his current contract at a minimum. It appears Roma have agreed to cover his full wages for next season - but I suspect that they may want to re-negotiate Ferguson's contract downwards (and include some injury clause etc) if there is an obligation to buy - Ferguson doesn't have to agree to any of this (nor should he). Brighton are pitching the 'option to buy' higher to try and force Roma's hand. While I think this would potentially be a good move for Ferguson, he does hold the high ground in negotiations because he has a contract until 2029 with Brighton.

[liamoo11]

Apparently Zefi played for Sligo tonight

Must be difficult for him to see ferguson going there for big money. Hopefully zefi can get a chance somewhere. Don't think he has the physical gifts to be a winger or wingback. Maybe makes it as a 10

[Razors left peg]

Must be difficult for him to see ferguson going there for big money. Hopefully zefi can get a chance somewhere. Don't think he has the physical gifts to be a winger or wingback. Maybe makes it as a 10

Tbh I dont think hes done anything in the game yet to feel jealous of other lads. Zefi has a long way to go to prove he'll even be a pro. He has talent, but I just remember seeing him with a pretty poor attitude for the u19s a couple years ago. Hes the type of lad that could light up the LOI or be working behind a bar in 3 years. Fingers crossed he gets 1st team football whether at Sligo or elsewhere and he is brilliant

[liamoo11]

Tbh I dont think hes done anything in the game yet to feel jealous of other lads. Zefi has a long way to go to prove he'll even be a pro. He has talent, but I just remember seeing him with a pretty poor attitude for the u19s a couple years ago. Hes the type of lad that could light up the LOI or be working behind a bar in 3 years. Fingers crossed he gets 1st team football whether at Sligo or elsewhere and he is brilliant

I agree but still difficult on a human level for a lad of 20. He did what loads on here say irishnplayers should do move to European league and it hasn't worked out. He seems ti be same height He was at 15 so that physical development and athletic genetics just aren't there, so he needs to be an exceptional footballer to make it

[Eirambler]

The rumours have been that Zefi hasn't helped himself in his career to this point. Talent alone isn't enough, especially for a player that's not a natural physical athlete. Hopefully he can find his level somewhere, I wouldn't be surprised if that's here in Ireland though, either now or in a couple of years time.

There's an argument that he should go with Albania too, he'd be more likely to get an Under 21 international career with them than us, and any small chance of a senior career is more likely to be with them also.

[elatedscum]

The rumours have been that Zefi hasn't helped himself in his career to this point. Talent alone isn't enough, especially for a player that's not a natural physical athlete.

as an u16, u17 - he was outrageously talented, but still played like he was a child playing kids football. it was an issue but his talent was so immense, you were willing to gamble that if he made that mentality adjustment, he'd be a star. We haven't had an irish player like that in a long time but there are international examples who went on to be stars and other guys who never worked it out and went on to be flops. I honestly think that the choices that he made or were made for him, in terms of going to Italy were totally wrong. To a certain extent, he was venturing into the dark - but if you look at Melia and Noonan now, there's a viable path for kids to stay till 18 and improve till then. Meanwhile we haven't really had any kids who went to Italy or France develop in unexpected ways or become better players than we expected. If he had signed for Liverpool and looking how they developed Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott and Bobby Clark, I'd see a path where they could help him mature...



There's an argument that he should go with Albania too, he'd be more likely to get an Under 21 international career with them than us

i really don't buy that, 2004-05 has very few good wingers. You've got Vata, Umeh, Zefi, Sean Moore and Ben Quinn - that's it in terms of natural wingers. Absolutely barren compared to the previous three squads at least. I'd have Quinn behind Zefi right now, Vata might end up with the seniors sooner rather than later and Sean Moore might end up at full-back, he's certainly played there a lot for West Ham

[liamoo11]

The rumours have been that Zefi hasn't helped himself in his career to this point. Talent alone isn't enough, especially for a player that's not a natural physical athlete. Hopefully he can find his level somewhere, I wouldn't be surprised if that's here in Ireland though, either now or in a couple of years time.

There's an argument that he should go with Albania too, he'd be more likely to get an Under 21 international career with them than us, and any small chance of a senior career is more likely to be with them also.

Same rumours as ferguson

[Razors left peg]

Same rumours as ferguson

Ferguson actually made it to men's football though

[Eirambler]

as an u16, u17 - he was outrageously talented, but still played like he was a child playing kids football. it was an issue but his talent was so immense, you were willing to gamble that if he made that mentality adjustment, he'd be a star. We haven't had an irish player like that in a long time but there are international examples who went on to be stars and other guys who never worked it out and went on to be flops. I honestly think that the choices that he made or were made for him, in terms of going to Italy were totally wrong. To a certain extent, he was venturing into the dark - but if you look at Melia and Noonan now, there's a viable path for kids to stay till 18 and improve till then. Meanwhile we haven't really had any kids who went to Italy or France develop in unexpected ways or become better players than we expected. If he had signed for Liverpool and looking how they developed Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott and Bobby Clark, I'd see a path where they could help him mature...



I'd agree that Italy wasn't the right move, but even if he had been able to go to Liverpool, he'd have been more likely to end up like Glen McAuley than Ben Doak I reckon. I'm no fan of Crawford and he probably shouldn't have said it publicly, but the thing about Zefi turning up unfit for the Under 21s is another red flag for me.

I think it's too early to say whether Melia and Noonan are better off staying than going, previous evidence would suggest they'll have 18 months of catching up to do when they do go. But they're more physically developed than Zefi anyway, so probably not the best players to compare him with.

Personally I'd get the likes of Zefi and Andy Moran and stick them in the gym until they're actually physically strong enough to play men's football. That probably comes across as a bit archaic but the truth is that without that physical strength their senior football prospects at a high level are close to zero.

[Jolly Red Giant]

I'd agree that Italy wasn't the right move, but even if he had been able to go to Liverpool, he'd have been more likely to end up like Glen McAuley than Ben Doak I reckon. I'm no fan of Crawford and he probably shouldn't have said it publicly, but the thing about Zefi turning up unfit for the Under 21s is another red flag for me.

I think it's too early to say whether Melia and Noonan are better off staying than going, previous evidence would suggest they'll have 18 months of catching up to do when they do go. But they're more physically developed than Zefi anyway, so probably not the best players to compare him with.

Personally I'd get the likes of Zefi and Andy Moran and stick them in the gym until they're actually physically strong enough to play men's football. That probably comes across as a bit archaic but the truth is that without that physical strength their senior football prospects at a high level are close to zero.
I have long been an advocate of players staying in Ireland as long as possible - I think the later they go abroad the more mature they are and the better the chances of success. I know it would be a skewed sample - but it would be interesting to see what percentage of players ended up playing professional football by going to Britain before they were 18 and after. In the long run I think the over 18 rule after Brexit will benefit Irish football in the long run- both the domestic game and internationally.

What is needed though is a massive investment in the academy structure in Ireland with full-time qualified coaches. The often used comparison that Ireland has something like ten academies while Croatia (a smaller country than Ireland) have 190.

Maturity counts for an awful lot when it comes to handling the meat grinder that is the underage system in Britain (and globally). In a small country without the massive amounts of tv money that dictate global football you can help young talented footballers in a much more rounded way with a comprehensive academy system.

[Joxerbrowne]

Staying in Ireland until 18 is definitely the way forward imo. I know of 2 lads that signed 4 year contracts in England at 16 and left after a year because of homesickness and immaturity and that's from the horses mouth.

[tetsujin1979]

Reportedly it affected John Paul Kelly, if you remember that name, really badly at Liverpool

[elatedscum]

Joxer was incredibly talented, potentially a generational player, but the stuff he was up to before leaving and after coming home, I don’t think any pathway was likely to save him.

Got sent home early from two trials for joyriding at United (also in the car is an ex Ireland international who I think is currently in prison) and punching a big academy star at Spurs.

At Liverpool, he got suspended for being found with serious contraband in his room in diggs. He decided to go home and not come back, despite both Rafa and Steven Gerrard intervening to try convince him to come back.

Had to wait a good while to sort his contract situation with Liverpool, then signs for Bohs at 18. Plays there from 18-21, not sure why he left but at 21, he signed for Drogheda and the manager catches him smoking weed in his car before training and his contract is cancelled.

Retires at 21 and last I heard, was driving a taxi.

[seanfhear]

Joxer was incredibly talented, potentially a generational player, but the stuff he was up to before leaving and after coming home, I don’t think any pathway was likely to save him.

Got sent home early from two trials for joyriding at United (also in the car is an ex Ireland international who I think is currently in prison) and punching a big academy star at Spurs.

At Liverpool, he got suspended for being found with serious contraband in his room in diggs. He decided to go home and not come back, despite both Rafa and Steven Gerrard intervening to try convince him to come back.

Had to wait a good while to sort his contract situation with Liverpool, then signs for Bohs at 18. Plays there from 18-21, not sure why he left but at 21, he signed for Drogheda and the manager catches him smoking weed in his car before training and his contract is cancelled.

Retires at 21 and last I heard, was driving a taxi.Some lads take the way out of " If only the, drink / drugs / other, hadn't got me then sure maybe I could have made it "

Anyway it's a very tough competitive " game / business " ~ ~ How many people could actually handle the pressure of it ~ ~ The dreams of yourself and maybe some of your family ~ ~ The injuries ~ ~ And then what are the actual % chances of making it, even if you have everything going for you ? !

[Kingdom]

Reportedly it affected John Paul Kelly, if you remember that name, really badly at Liverpool

The irony of the poster you're replying to (essentially) is possibly not lost.
Joxer was one of my favourite players - an incredible talent. Anyone who grew up in the part of Dublin he's from and was remotely interested in football knew the rumours, the associations he allegedly had and the consequences for those.
A waste no doubt, but even for all that, still fondly remembered.

[Razors left peg]

Its not a one size fits all. It suits some to stay in LOI but that isn't necessarily the same for everyone

[Exgrad]

Roma leading chase for Ferguson ahead of Fiorentina, according to usually reliable Mike McGrath of the Telegraph. Bournemouth and Ipswich both interested too. Sounds like a few decent options there anyway for Ferguson.

[elatedscum]

Its not a one size fits all. It suits some to stay in LOI but that isn't necessarily the same for everyone

i think exactly this. there are clubs better and worse for developing players in every country including Ireland. Different positions may progress better at home (centre backs and big centre forwards might be able to play first team football earlier in Ireland as opposed to your smaller players), equally different leagues abroad suit different types of players and different positions. Who is the last midfielder we have produced at an international level from LOI?

Also, maybe sometimes a player's natural attributes are enough to carry him one way or another. If you compare Nathan Collins and Jake O'Brien. Born 2 weeks apart, Nathan moved as 14 year old across to Stoke. He made his debut in the championship at age 17 and captianed the side at 18. Age 20, he signs for Burnley to play in the premier league for £12m. After a season at Burnley, he signs for Wolves at age 21 for just over £20m. A season later, he signs for Brentford for a club record of £23m. Nathan plays every minute for Brentford last season.

Meanwhile Jake breaks into the Cork team aged 19, he plays 9 LOI games before moving on loan to Crystal Palace (age 19). At age 20, Palace make the deal permanent. Later that season, he goes on loan to Swindon in League 2 and age 21, he goes on loan to the belgian second division. Age 22, he signs for Lyon for £1m and really succeeds there before signing for Everton age 23 for £17m raising to £22m. Jake breaks into Everton once Moyes takes over and starts 17 of the last 18 premier league games.

Both have ended up at good premier league teams, playing really well. I wonder if you'd flipped their roles around, and if Nathan stayed at home and Jake left early, if it all would have worked out the same...

[SkStu]

The irony of the poster you're replying to (essentially) is possibly not lost.
Joxer was one of my favourite players - an incredible talent. Anyone who grew up in the part of Dublin he's from and was remotely interested in football knew the rumours, the associations he allegedly had and the consequences for those.
A waste no doubt, but even for all that, still fondly remembered.

He was worth the price of admission into Dalyer alone during that period. Generational talent. Far too good for the league back then.

[rebelmusic]

That's a really good sign if they're willing to take that much of a 'risk'. Great news all around imo

[rebelmusic]

Ipswich apparently on the wings if the Roma deal doesn't work out. I'd like to see what McKenna could do for his confidence

[Razors left peg]

Ipswich apparently on the wings if the Roma deal doesn't work out. I'd like to see what McKenna could do for his confidence
That would be quite the downgrade from Roma

[Eirambler]

I still find it odd that clubs like Bournemouth and Brentford are seen as more desirable options for players these days than Lazio and Roma, but that's where we are.

[Razors left peg]

I still find it odd that clubs like Bournemouth and Brentford are seen as more desirable options for players these days than Lazio and Roma, but that's where we are.

Premiership money innit bruv

[Razors left peg]

Done deal to Roma. Loan with option to buy for 40 Million

[tetsujin1979]

Will Bohemians get a cut of that transfer, when it goes through?

[sbgawa]

Option....

[Fixer82]

Will Bohemians get a cut of that transfer, when it goes through?

Was just wondering this. If so, it’ll be a nice few bob I imagine

[Fixer82]

Oh it’s only a loan. Hopefully he does well and they buy him

[SkStu]

Was just wondering this. If so, it’ll be a nice few bob I imagine

It’s 10%.

[sbgawa]

50% to St Kevin's apparently...if he does well he would be a cheap 21 year old striker...