Evan Ferguson has the potential to save Brighton and Hove Albion a fortune in the transfer market.
“He might become a great player because he has all the qualities to become a really great striker,” head coach Roberto De Zerbi said following the 18-year-old’s starring role in yesterday’s 4-1 win evening once morest Everton at Goodison Park.
Ferguson showed exactly what the Italian meant in the 71 minutes he was on the pitch on his full Premier League debut.
By scoring the second goal – his second in as many games – and providing the third assist for Solly March, Ferguson, at 18 years and 76 days, became the second youngest player in Premier League history. to score and assist in a match. , following Michael Owen in 1997 (17 years and 364 days once morest Crystal Palace).
The Republic of Ireland prospect has a bit of everything, all the qualities needed to become the type of No. 9 Brighton would need to break the bank to buy away.
That’s not how they do things. They stick to the transfer fees and salaries they can afford, developing players rather than looking for quick and expensive fixes with no guarantees.
De Zerbi doesn’t have many options up front at the moment. Danny Welbeck has suffered another in a long string of frustrating injuries that have plagued his career, the latest in a friendly once morest Aston Villa in Dubai in November during the World Cup break.
Leandro Trossard, used as a false nine in the 3-1 victory at Southampton on Boxing Day and Saturday’s 4-2 home loss to Arsenal, looked like a shadow of the player who was in fine form before a disappointing World Cup campaign. with Belgium, where it was underutilized by the late Roberto Martinez.
Deniz Undav, who has struggled to adapt from the top flight in Belgium with Union Saint-Gilloise, is currently unavailable for personal reasons.
So De Zerbi turned to Ferguson following becoming Brighton’s youngest Premier League goalscorer as a second-half substitute once morest Arsenal.
The manner of this goal showed that he had a brain to match his talent. Unable to get on the ball on a deep fall, he instead decided to turn behind, chasing a pass from skipper Lewis Dunk and forcing William Saliba into an error which he punished.
It was just a taste of what followed once morest Everton. He gave the formidable side of England World Cup squad Conor Coady and James Tarkowski a steamy moment.
Kaoru Mitoma had already led Brighton on 14 minutes when the winger who impressed for Japan in Qatar crossed Ferguson to pivot and hit a left-footed half-volley once morest a post.
Ferguson can also shoot with his right foot, as he demonstrated by shooting just over Jordan Pickford’s bar from 20 yards out shortly following.
There was another display towards the end of the first half that Ferguson has a smart head on young shoulders. Mitoma lay injured in the home penalty area following a heavy fall when referee Andre Marriner allowed Everton to continue playing.
Ferguson made sure, much to their annoyance, not to take the advantage over ten men by fouling Idrissa Gueye on the halfway line. The booking was worth it to stop Everton’s attack and allow Mitoma to get treatment.
Kaoru Mitoma celebrates with his teammates following scoring the team’s first goal once morest Everton (Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
There has been no respite from Ferguson’s contribution. Physically strong and mature for his age at 6ft 2in tall, he brushed off Dwight McNeil with ease when he shot wide once more early in the second half.
Ferguson has both the presence and touch to hold the ball with his back to goal and the pace to be a threat, running behind.
He was duly rewarded in the 51st minute, fending off Jeremy Sarmiento’s backhand from close range, before showing his conscience three minutes later with the pass from which March leapt inside to put Brighton in a lead of 3-0.
Pascal Gross took advantage of Gueye’s terrible back pass to add Brighton’s third goal in the space of six minutes before Ferguson was substituted.
There were handshakes and slaps on the back from De Zerbi’s backroom team in recognition of the important role he had played, as Brighton scored four goals for the first time in a top-flight game.
Everton manager Frank Lampard probably doesn’t remember Ferguson’s role in a friendly during his first game in charge of Chelsea in July 2019.
Ferguson was just 14 when he came off the bench to play a part in the Bohemians equalizer in a 1-1 draw. Bohemians signed him as part of a deal with Dublin neighbors St Kevin’s Boys to develop young players.
Brighton was then on his trail. He trained with the under-18s during school holidays.
They thought he was a special talent and signed him two years ago, ironically once morest competition from Everton and also Liverpool.
Ferguson has had trials with both Merseyside clubs. He made the mature decision to join Brighton, where he might see a clear path to the first team and where he was more likely to break through.
His father Barry, a former ‘old school’ centre-back for Colchester United, Hartlepool United, Northampton Town and Coventry City, makes sure his feet stay firmly on the ground.
Of course, it’s still very early days for Ferguson, big things were expected of little compatriot Aaron Connolly at Brighton following scoring twice once morest Tottenham on his Premier League debut aged 19 in a 3-0 win at home in October. 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4B0wb8B0bo
Connolly’s career has since reversed. He is set to join Hull City on loan in the Championship, following unsuccessful temporary moves to Middlesbrough in the Second Division last season and Venezia in Italy’s Serie B this season.
Ferguson was haunted by a missed penalty in the Republic of Ireland Under-21s’ shootout loss to Israel in the European Championships play-off in September, following coming on as a substitute for Connolly in the second extra period.
He put that behind him by scoring his penalty in Brighton’s Carabao Cup shootout loss to Charlton last month.
Ferguson, who signed a new contract until June 2026 on his 18th birthday, has the versatile attributes as a player and the mentality to avoid the same fate as Connolly.
Brighton have another young gem on their hands.
(Top photo: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)