Evan Ferguson’s progress has stalled since his break out season in 2022/23 and now his future hangs in the balance. Two years ago, Ferguson was a Premier League prodigy, aged just 18.
He was scoring goals galore and drawing comparisons to Harry Kane. Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea were preparing bids of up to £60 million in an attempt to secure the Premier League’s next best thing.
However, fast forward to the end of 2024/25, the Irishman has found himself low in the pecking order at Brighton, and unwanted by the league’s best.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 2022/23, Ferguson finished the campaign 13 goals involvements in just 25 appearances across all competitions, averaging a goal or assist every other game.
He was trusted in big matches and was quickly viewed as the future of Brighton’s attack. He was a natural finisher who could hold his own physically despite being a teenager.
In 2023/24, Ferguson still impressed, but lacked minutes due to the signing of Joao Pedro from Watford. The Brazilian was an instant hit and scored 20 goals in all competitions, including six in the Europa League.
Ferguson made 36 appearances, but only started in half of those. This meant he struggled to make an impact as he featured only in the final minutes of matches.
Last season, the 20-year-old made 15 appearances for Brighton under new boss Fabian Hurzeler and scored just once. He was subsequently loaned out to West Ham in the January transfer window to find his form.
The move backfired massively, despite playing under Graham Potter, the man who gave Ferguson his senior debut at Brighton back in 2021. He played just 151 minutes for the Hammers across eight appearances
Now he’s returned to the South Coast, he faces a new reality. Despite Joao Pedro’s pending departure, Ferguson is still behind Danny Welbeck and two highly-rated young Greek strikers: Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas.
Under Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton play a pressing, possession-heavy game, with forwards tasked with intricate link-up play and coordinated off-the-ball movement. It’s not a system that naturally suits Ferguson.
While the Irishman’s strengths are clear, questions remain over his ability to press with intensity and contribute consistently in build-up. Unless those areas improve, he will remain an awkward mismatch in Hürzeler’s setup.
Ferguson now needs regular minutes at a club that provides an attacking role that suits his style of play. Then, he can develop and get back to his best.
According to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is pushing for his side to agree an ambitious deal to sign Ferguson on loan for the 2025-26 campaign.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlso, according to Goodison News, Everton are interested in a move for Ferguson. They originally wanted to sign Liam Delap, but he joined Chelsea instead.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin recently ended his time at Everton and David Moyes needs a replacement up front. However, they face competition from Nottingham Forest and of course Celtic, according to SportsMole.
At 20, Ferguson still has time on his side. But for the first time in his career, he’s no longer the future, he’s the forgotten one. His next move must be the right one.
The next chapter of Ferguson’s career will define if he will become a top-level striker, or just another ‘what if’.
Written by Isabelle Newnham
INMR FOOTBALL 
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