While at Atalanta, Gian Piero Gasperini became known for helping turn raw talents into finished products—ultimately leading to significant profits for La Dea. But, unlike many of the young players Gasperini developed in Bergamo, Evan Ferguson is already a well-known figure. At just 20 years old, he’s already a household name in Premier League circles.
How was Roma able to land a former superstar in the making? It's something we're all too familiar with in the Giallorossi circles: the dreaded ACL tear.
Just about a year after his return from injury, Ferguson is trying to revive his once rapid ascension to stardom. So, while Ferguson is young and talented, like many players Gasperini developed at Atalanta, the Irishman will be a low-risk, high-reward reclamation project.
To get a little more background on Ferguson, what makes him special, and what led him to Roma, we brought back our friend Mike—better known as the North Stand Seagull—to fill us in.
Let’s start with Evan Ferguson’s early years as a footballer. Can you share any insights into his time with Brighton’s youth setup? Was he always regarded as a can’t-miss prospect? How was he able to make such an immediate impact as a teenager at the Premier League level?
Basically, we signed Evan from Irish Side Bohemians. Liverpool were allegedly interested in signing him at the time, but due to the potential pathways, Brighton must have been more attractive. We already had players like Lewis Dunk and Solly March, so we are often seen as a good pathway club. The club always saw him as a future first-team player. He has been described as generational or linked to Harry Kane. His first competitive goal was in the FA Cup, but his real breakout season was 22/23. In December, at the age of 18, became Ireland’s and Brighton’s youngest scorer in the premier league against Arsenal.
17 - Evan #Ferguson (October 2004) is the youngest player to have scored at least 15 goals all-comps for Premier League clubs in the last three seasons (from 2022/23): the Irishman has scored 17 in that period. Shamrock. pic.twitter.com/Vt0Nrfs5zY
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) July 21, 2025
How would you describe Ferguson’s game? What are some of his strengths? And what areas does he still need to improve? Are there any well-known players whose skillset he compares favorably to?
For someone so young, he has remarkable strength. He has been linked to Harry Kane in his finishing and is probably one of the most natural finishers I have seen. He has been injured a lot, so I think there’s a confidence thing going on lately, but he is not dominant in the air. But in and around the box, he can be deadly.
The ACL injury late in the 2023-24 season has stopped his quick rise to stardom. Was that more because of rust, or has he lost some of his physical ability due to the injury? If so, do you think he can get back to his previous level?
Players often lose some pace, but I saw him work hard, and I think he hasn’t lost that conditioning. I think he played a couple of times for West Ham last season, and where he would shoot instinctively, there appeared to be a lack of assuredness, which is probably understandable when you have been injured for so long. It’s a gamble as with any player who has had a long term injury, but managed right and given games I can see no reason why you won’t see him scoring again. Hopefully, that will build his confidence long term - the cautionary note is we have seen players like Ansu Fati who kept breaking down. I guess this is the gamble.
Ferguson, 20 years old, is likely still a few years away from reaching his prime. What makes Roma the right club to help him get back on track? With Artem Dovbyk on the roster, do you worry that the competition for playing time could slow his development?
There’s always a worry that he will break down or not get enough games due to competition. However, I think the fact Roma are playing European football will open some opportunities for Evan. Gasperini had previously relaunched players’ careers like Zapata and Muriel, and one of Ferguson’s strengths is his pressing and hold-up play.
Would you like to see him back at Brighton next season, or do you think he can do enough in one season to convince Roma to trigger his option to buy for nearly €40 million?
I would love him back at Brighton, but I also would like him to do well for Roma, which would no doubt mean Roma wanting to sign him. Everyone at the club likes him, and Hurzeler suggested there’s always a way back. We all wish him well, and who knows, hopefully, he will become the striker we all know he can be. We wish him and Roma all the very best and will be watching his season with interest and expectation.
We thank Mike for his insight and look forward to seeing what Ferguson brings to Roma this season.
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