Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

I thought the stat that his goals per minute ratio is (distant) second in the EPL only to Haaland (excluding a few people who've hardly played) was interesting. Maybe he keeps it up, maybe he doesn't, but it suggests the dismissive end of the spectrum of opinion on him is just wrong. He's done something to make everyone watch him like a hawk. You can bet he's on the radar of every big club in Europe. Not necessarily at the point where they want to pull the trigger and bid for him, mind, but definitely where their scouts' time is being allocated to analysing him frequently and weighing options.

I get people be hesitant because there have been false dawns before, but this is different. When you watch Brighton you just expect him to score every game, he feels like a top striker already

Match of the Day had a segment on him after showing highlights of the Brighton game last night. There's a short clip from it on Twitter

Thanks for the MOTD clip, stupid BBC NI putting it on at more or less midnight!

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

One of the things that both Kane and Lewa have is a stunning first touch. Ferguson's first touch can at times be heavy. But he's got years to become a better player.

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For sure. At 18 Lewandowski was playing Polish third division. He then spent a couple of years in the second division before moving to Lech Poznan.

My Polish pal tells me that Lewandowski has an insatiable desire to improve. He was never tipped for the top. He worked and worked. His wife is a dietician. He's totally dedicated to being the best he can and is always looking for some way to gain an advantage or improve in some way. When you see his movement you realise you don't need to be too fast. And yeah, same as Ferguson, you always fancy him for a goal!

If Ferguson follows this example, and so far he has been, they have a special training program for him, he can get to Lewandowski level, without a doubt.

What gives me such optimism is that he clearly absolutely loves playing football, playing for Ireland, scoring goals. What a kid! It's brilliant.

Theres only one thing Ive noticed so far about Ferguson that stands out as something potentially to work on, and I dont know if its because of him or his club... He rarely plays 90 minutes. When he starts for Brighton he usually seems to come off around the 70th minute and Im not sure if its a fitness thing or just a case of preserving him. But it was fairly noticeable just how exhausted he was coming off in the French game, and yes he had a knock but that didnt really account for how tired he was.

It might be just a case that he really is still a boy and he is still adjusting to the speed and physicality of mens football. It could be nothing at all and its just a case that Brighton have good options on the bench that they want to use, but I think its something to keep an eye on.

I'd guess they're protecting him. I remember a lot being made of Rooney's playing time being carefully managed at a similar stage.

With five subs now, I think lots of forwards don't play 90 minutes. Defenders are rarely rotated off; it's usually attacking players.

Every angle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljJQ3enHJq8

Fergie coming on now, nicely poised at 1-1. Feisty game mainly driven by De Zerbi, both managers sent off

Went off injured in the 39th minute away to Chelsea; replaced by Wellbeck, who scored.

Subbed off before half-time with a knock unfortunately. Had forced a good save out of Kepa just beforehand and I think got injured in doing so. Tried to play on but couldn't. Then a couple of minutes later his replacement, Welbeck, equalised for Brighton.

Hopefully not a bad knock but if he tried to play on, it's probably not the worst of knocks.

Seemed to just fall awkwardly. Probably should have scored the header where he did hurt himself, although it was a good save. He had hit the bar with a great effort earlier too. Hopefully it’s nothing major.

Rolled his ankle.

Himself and Veltman are out for a minimum couple of weeks according to DeZerbi, so misses the cup semi final unfortunately.

Hit the bar from outside the box in the first 10 or so mins - would have been an excellent goal. Also put Mitoma in twice and made a great run for mitoma where he didn’t get the pass. Could have scored the header. Good performance up until the injury

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-42440530.html

Dan McDonnell saying that Ferguson is going to sign a new contract with Brighton and stay there for now.

Im a bit conflicted on this one, the Man United fan in me would love to see Ferguson at United and I do think Ten Hag could do a great job with him. I also think he instantly would improve United as he is the perfect player they need up front for the Ten Hag system. There is something to be said for moving when your value is high rather than seeing what happens down the line. Next year Brighton could be struggling with relegation if they sell off the likes of McAllister and Caicedo and Ferguson may not look as good.

That being said, I can see the counter argument too where he stays and gets guaranteed 1st team football with another year to develop his fitness for top level football, which I think is potentially his biggest weakness at the moment. Another year playing in that Brighton system if they do manage to keep things going will also see him improve tactically too. If he is the player we think he is he could go on to score 20 Premiership goals for Brighton next season and his value would sky rocket.

Like I said, I dont think theres necessarily a right or wrong thing for him to do in this situation. There is plus and minus on both sides of staying or going.... the key to either is just staying free from long term injury which I believe is the only thing that will stop him becoming a World Class striker

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-42440530.html

Dan McDonnell saying that Ferguson is going to sign a new contract with Brighton and stay there for now.

Im a bit conflicted on this one, the Man United fan in me would love to see Ferguson at United and I do think Ten Hag could do a great job with him. I also think he instantly would improve United as he is the perfect player they need up front for the Ten Hag system. There is something to be said for moving when your value is high rather than seeing what happens down the line. Next year Brighton could be struggling with relegation if they sell off the likes of McAllister and Caicedo and Ferguson may not look as good.

That being said, I can see the counter argument too where he stays and gets guaranteed 1st team football with another year to develop his fitness for top level football, which I think is potentially his biggest weakness at the moment. Another year playing in that Brighton system if they do manage to keep things going will also see him improve tactically too. If he is the player we think he is he could go on to score 20 Premiership goals for Brighton next season and his value would sky rocket.

Like I said, I dont think theres necessarily a right or wrong thing for him to do in this situation. There is plus and minus on both sides of staying or going.... the key to either is just staying free from long term injury which I believe is the only thing that will stop him becoming a World Class striker

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So after all that, should he go or stay?

Definitely stay especially as I fancy Brighton to sneak into the Champions League. If that happens I think both manager and the likes of McAllister and Caicedo may stay as well. The important thing is that he plays regularly and a move to one of the big six would make that way less likely.

ferguson should only go to united if they manage to bring in a more experienced stop gap striker along side him. hes very young to be playing non stop as a first choice no9 at a top 6 club. having someone to share to burden with him at united for a season or 2 until he eventually pushes them out of the picture would be ideal. need him to be looked after too, dont want him run into the ground by the time hes 21.