Injury Blow for Brighton Star Evan Ferguson Ahead of Republic of Ireland's Euro 2024 Qualifiers

Evan Ferguson, the 18-year-old Brighton striker, will not be able to participate in the Republic of Ireland's upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to an injury. Ferguson sustained a knee injury in Brighton's victorious 3-1 match against Newcastle, in which he made history as the fourth teenager to score a hat-trick in the Premier League.

After being evaluated by the national team's medical team, it has been determined that he will not participate in the upcoming match against France in Paris on Thursday or the game against the Netherlands in Dublin on Sunday.

Stephen Kenny's team currently occupies the third position in Group B, having accumulated three points from three matches, trailing behind France, the current leaders, and Greece, who are in second place.

Ferguson has earned six senior caps since making his debut against Norway in November 2022.

De Zerbi: Ferguson can become top scorer in Europe

Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi expressed his satisfaction with Ferguson's performance in the 3-1 victory against Newcastle. He commended Ferguson not only for his goals but also for his overall contribution, particularly in the first half. De Zerbi acknowledged that Newcastle's defensive formation of 4-4-1-1 provided opportunities for Ferguson to exploit the available space, demonstrating his ability to identify and occupy favorable positions on the field. De Zerbi further emphasized Ferguson's commitment to further developing and enhancing his skill set.

"He has the potential to reach great heights. His exceptional qualities make him capable of becoming a phenomenal player. He could even emerge as one of Europe's top scorers. Born in 2004, he is only 18 years old. It's remarkable how few young players can match his goal-scoring prowess."

When discussing Ferguson's prospects with big clubs, De Zerbi commented, "Considering Brighton's track record, it is expected for them to sell players. The crucial focus for Brighton lies in swiftly identifying suitable replacements. This is the necessary responsibility we must undertake."

The making of Evan Ferguson: A £100m player in waiting?

In the 3-1 victory against Newcastle, Evan Ferguson showcased an impressive display of strength, audacity, and precision. This was his second start of the league campaign, and he was fortunate enough to achieve a hat-trick. Melissa Reddy, our senior reporter, covers all the details.

The Republic of Ireland player has already scored four league goals in only 206 minutes this season, compared to his six goals in 951 minutes last year. Since the beginning of the last campaign, no other teenager in Europe's top five leagues has been more successful in scoring. When Brighton secured a spot in European football for the first time in their history, thanks in part to two goals from Ferguson against Southampton in May, there was both celebration for what is to come, but also a feeling of regret for missed opportunities.

The south-coast club believes that if the young potential king hadn't been out for almost a month due to an ankle injury, they would have successfully challenged Newcastle and Manchester United for a Champions League spot. Furthermore, they would have reached the FA Cup final by eliminating Manchester United.

Ferguson, at the age of only 18, made a significant impact on Brighton's offensive and caused problems for opposing defences throughout his breakout season. This impressive performance has led some knowledgeable individuals in football to suggest that he has the potential to become a player worth £100m.

Nobody who witnessed the Republic of Ireland international's early development would consider this an exaggeration. The individuals currently collaborating with Ferguson truly believe that we are witnessing the emergence of a remarkable figure who will leave a lasting impact on the Premier League.

But is it fair to burden a teenager with such lofty expectations and pressure? The answer, according to those who are closest to him, is a resounding 'no'.