Evan Ferguson compared to Erling Haaland and Michael Owen with ‘special’ Brighton wonderkid tipped to be playing in Champions League
Evan Ferguson has the potential to be 'a complete player', according to Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, with the starlet compared to Michael Owen and Erling Haaland.
The 18-year-old striker is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League after bursting onto the scene on the south coast.
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Ferguson made five appearances for Brighton last term, including his Premier League debut in a 3-0 home defeat to Burnley, but it's this term where he's really come into his own.
The powerful striker has so far bagged seven goals in just 16 senior appearances this term, including a brace in the 5-0 FA Cup quarter final victory over Grimsby.
After having a goal disallowed, Ferguson could easily have been walking away with the match ball against the League Two side, leading England legend and Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker to describe him as 'a real centre forward'.
His own manager, De Zerbi was also keen to sing his praises as he explained how he's trying to enhance his all-round game.
Speaking after the game, De Zerbi said: “Ferguson is a special striker.
“Me and my staff are working to improve him to not only be a number nine and a striker but improve him to be understanding the play – when to receive the ball or when to attack the space and not only one thing – to complete the player, to complete the guy.
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“He’s a very good guy and I think that if you work with a clever guy it’s nice because he understands and he improves day by day.”
With Ferguson only turning 18 in October, the young striker certainly has the world at his feet.
He's already won two senior caps for Republic of Ireland and according to talkSPORT's Scott Minto, Ferguson is already showing similarities with two Premier League striking legends.
Minto told talkSPORT: “The scary thing is that he could go all the way, he really could. I watch him and he’s 18 now, he’s playing like a 29-year-old. He’s got the physique of a 29-year-old, he’s got the maturity of a 29-year-old and you’re talking about someone like Mitoma who can get better, well this kid can obviously get better and better.
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“When he’s in front of goal, he’s got a very different physique, but he looks like Michael Owen. You need to be ice cold in front of goal and have that composure and he did that. He was only just offside for the goal that was disallowed but if it wasn’t for that he’d have a hat-trick here.
“Forget the fact that you’re playing against a League Two team, they would have been three quality goals, so how good could he be? He could definitely play for a Champions League side in a few years’ time.”
Minto added: “Who is the best finisher out there at the moment? Erling Haaland. He plays between the sticks and I think that Manchester City don’t quite play to his way.
“Evan Ferguson is one of those who knows what he needs to do. He knows he needs to stay between the sticks and if he does then this Brighton side will give him chances.
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“He’s scored seven now for Brighton and he’s the top-scoring teenager across all competitions this season and that’s nothing short of sensational in what is the Premier League.
“This kid can go all the way. I say about playing for a Champions League club, he could be playing for a Champions League club next season in Brighton.”
As it stands, Brighton are seven points off fourth spot in the league, but with three games in hand, there's every chance that they'll be right in the mix come the end of the season.
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