The Rise of Evan Ferguson: From Brighton's Diamond in the Rough to Football's Next £100m Star

Brighton secured their first-ever European football spot with the help of two goals from Evan Ferguson against Southampton in May. The achievement was met with celebration for what is to come, but also a hint of remorse for missed opportunities. The team's first goal showcased pure strength, while the second demonstrated exceptional speed and accuracy.

Brighton's south coast club is convinced that they would have given Newcastle and Manchester United a run for their money in the Champions League race and even made it to the FA Cup final had their star player, the 18-year-old Ferguson, not been sidelined for almost a month due to an ankle injury. Ferguson's impressive performance during his breakthrough season has caught the attention of football experts who predict that he could potentially become a £100m player.

Those who were a part of the Republic of Ireland international's early development would not consider the statement an exaggeration. Presently, those who work with Ferguson firmly believe that we are witnessing the emergence of a future Premier League legend.

Despite his tender age, is such high anticipation and stress justified? Absolutely, according to those closest to him.

The early years

"Since then, he has pursued each milestone with unwavering determination, as if he had already mapped out the path in his mind. While these achievements may now seem trivial in comparison to his feats of scoring in the Premier League and representing Ireland, they hold significance nonetheless. Take, for instance, the time he scored five goals as a U8 player, ultimately securing the league victory."

Evan's impressive performances on the football pitch were consistently recognized, including a newspaper headline titled 'Evan sent' after he delivered yet another outstanding game. His favourite match was the U11 cup final where he scored four goals and assisted one. Even when facing top teams like Barcelona, with players who had millions of social media followers and a huge reputation, Evan stood out as the star player. His talent on the field was undeniable, and he always belonged. Neil Fox, who worked with Ferguson at St Kevin's and at youth level for Ireland, adds that Evan's exceptional abilities had been acknowledged for a long time, with people constantly saying that he was "something else" and "really special."

"We had the opportunity to showcase our skills against some of the top European teams, including Barcelona, which helped to raise our profile within the school football bubble and among academy scouts," Lambe explains. However, it was a match against Manchester United where his potential truly shone through. Despite the team's loss, he managed to score two goals, catching the attention of scouts from English clubs. "In the months that followed, these scouts became regular attendees at our games, showing a keen interest in our young talent."

"He made his debut for Bohemians first team at the age of 14 and it was against Chelsea that his true potential was realized. Despite his young age, he showcased his impressive dribbling skills, made experienced Premier League defenders look like novices and left a lasting impression on the field. It's safe to say that Chelsea may not have been aware of his age and treated him like any other player."

Image:

Even before gaining attention in Frank Lampard's first match as Chelsea manager, Ferguson had already shown characteristics beyond his age. He celebrated with his team-mates after scoring.

One thing that sets Evan Ferguson apart is his game intelligence and understanding, which has been evident since his early days in the U8s. While most kids just want to run to the goal and score, Ferguson had great decision-making skills even at a young age. This has translated into his playing style with Brighton, where he displays a variety of skills such as running in behind and dropping into space. It's no surprise that Ferguson's formative years included learning different positions, with a special focus on midfield, which has contributed to his versatility on the field.

A complete player

"He once saved us from a 5-0 defeat against Barca by playing centre-back and successfully stopping the goals," recounts Lambe. "However, we didn't want to rely on him solely for defensive duties and around the age of 12, he began to transition into a forward who could also function as a playmaker. During the U14s all-Ireland final, one of our players got injured just as we were walking out to the pitch. Without hesitation, I told Evan to fill in as a midfielder and he went on to become the man of the match."

Image:

Ferguson celebrates scoring for the Republic of Ireland against Latvia

Ferguson's link-up play and passing vision certainly screams of someone who has the ability to read the game as a midfielder

"It has enhanced my ability to play as a modern striker in a more natural way," stated the adolescent to We News. "Observing the techniques of contemporary strikers such as Harry Kane, who frequently drops back, has been instructive for me. I speculate that he might have played in midfield during his early years. Now, I comprehend the right time to make a run or hold on to a pass. This has made me a more well-rounded player."

Roberto De Zerbi, the manager of Brighton, highlights that Ferguson's exceptional physical development and technical brilliance make him stand out as an 18-year-old player. De Zerbi believes that Ferguson is already a gifted player and predicts that he will become one of the top strikers in the Premier League.

Datawrapper

Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this.

Open Privacy Options

De Zerbi has been impressed by how quickly Ferguson absorbs his tactical demands and how efficiently he has been able to implement them.

He is a versatile scorer, capable of outpacing and dominating defenders like William Saliba, waiting for goalkeepers like Aaron Ramsdale to make a move, and executing precise finishes both high and low. His impressive goal-scoring abilities are showcased in his touch, turn, and finish against Grimsby in the FA Cup, as well as his ability to score towering headers.

Image:

Ferguson scores Brighton's second goal against Grimsby

Lambe describes him as a footballer who possesses both height and strength, but does not rely on flick-ons or traditional target man tactics. In fact, his technical abilities are highly commendable and he is capable of playing with finesse. As a child, Ferguson chose to prioritize skill over physicality, a trait that sets him apart from his peers. Lambe recalls a particular game in January against Everton, where Ferguson received a yellow card for committing a foul to stop play, a rare instance of aggression in his otherwise composed style of play.

He refrained from using his size to bully others or exert physical dominance, despite his stature. His peers even encouraged him to utilize his physicality more, but to no avail. Instead, he consistently relied on his football skills and abilities. Cox elaborates, noting that he wasn't the type to recklessly dive into tackles or overpower opponents physically. Rather, he stood out as the best player on the field by exhibiting superior game reading abilities.

Brighton strike gold

After undergoing trials with Liverpool, Manchester United, Everton and Celtic, Ferguson found his way to Brighton thanks to their academy manager, John Morling. Morling had previously worked with Ferguson's father Barry at the FAI, and saw potential in the young player. Brighton offered Ferguson a clear path to the first team, making it the ideal choice for his development.

After closely monitoring progress at St Kevin's and Bohemians, he firmly believed that the young boy had the potential to excel among seasoned players.

Despite some reservations from Mark Beard, the U18s coach at Brighton during that time, about including a 14-year-old in his training sessions, Evan's remarkable skills quickly made him the standout player among the group. Even the first team took notice and inquired about him.

Brighton had made an agreement with Ferguson's family that he would join them as soon as he was legally able to at the age of 16, thanks to his mother's English heritage which allowed him to bypass Brexit regulations. Despite being offered the opportunity to join Liverpool and Manchester United, two of the biggest clubs in Ireland, Ferguson's decision to stick with Brighton demonstrated his focus on personal development rather than the allure of status, attention, or financial gain.

"He chose to join Brighton with the intention of working his way up the ranks, being noticed, and seizing every opportunity that comes his way. It's not to say that bigger clubs weren't an option, but we can all acknowledge that he made the best decision for himself by joining Brighton.

"With his unwavering passion and dedication towards becoming the best footballer he can be, there's no doubt that he will achieve everything he sets out to do."

Evan effortlessly handles the hype, responsibility, and expectations that come with his talent, thanks to the unwavering support from his parents. Unlike some parents in schoolboy football who can be overbearing, Evan's parents have never pressured or pushed him to succeed, allowing him to develop at his own pace. Their calm demeanor has undoubtedly rubbed off on Evan, and he remains grounded despite the talk of him becoming a £100m player. It's a testament to both Evan's character and the values instilled in him by his family.

Follow our dedicated live blog as Republic of Ireland face Greece in the European Championship Qualifiers on Friday night; kick off 7.45pm