It’s not every day that Roma can bring in a talent of Evan Ferguson’s level with a proven Premier League track record, who isn’t even 20 years old yet. That’s why this signing comes with a caveat. Ferguson has baggage that Romanisti have become all too familiar with over the years: the dreaded ACL tear.
Despite a rough return to the pitch for Brighton and West Ham last season, Ricky Massara and company saw the ultimate buy-low opportunity on a loan plus option to buy. The signing gives Gian Piero
Gasperini something that his Atalanta tenure became known for: a young, talented attacker who can flourish under his attack-minded tactics. So, in spite of the injury history, talent alone catapults Ferguson instantly into the top 3 of our U-23 countdown—a place he can occupy for several years if Gasperini can help his career revival.
Number Two: Evan Ferguson
Age: 19
Position: F
Shades of: Harry Kane, Olivier Giroud, Edin Dzeko
Who Is He?
Ferguson is just 19 years old, but the teenage Irishman has made a few stops in his already young career. He started his career in native Ireland with Bohemians. However, he didn’t stay there long, moving to Brighton as a 15-year-old to play for their second team in January 2021. Then the following season, Ferguson made his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old with a cameo appearance. By the age of 17, Ferguson was already banging in goals for the first team in the Premier League. He followed his half dozen maiden season EPL goals with another 6 in during his sophomore campaign.
An injury late in that second season with Brighton’s first team was a major hurdle in what was shaping up to be a superstar career, with rumors of a €100 million price tag being bandied about in the rumor mill. That all changed with the ACL tear, and Ferguson had a lackluster return last fall for Brighton before being shipped out to West Ham on loan. After a combined 400 EPL minutes and 1 goal last season, Ferguson was seen as surplus goods on England’s south coast. That created an opportunity for Roma to swoop in to try and revive his once-budding stardom.
What Can He Do?
Ferguson is known for his excellent movement between lines. He runs behind defenders with clever angles, initially bending and then darting into space, using body orientation to facilitate early shots on goal. If marked tightly, he can loop back to receive and shoot first-time.
Inside the box, Ferguson shows great agility—adjusting his body effectively to take shots. Ferguson shoots well with both feet and can shift from wide angles to cut inside and shoot with finesse.
Ferguson is a strong striker who can receive with his back to goal, using his first touch to lay it off or hold off defenders. Even when linking play rather than shooting, his sharp runs drag defenders out, creating space for teammates.
For a more detailed look at Ferguson’s tactical profile, check out this analysis from Coaches’ Voice.
What Can He Become?
In an ideal scenario, Ferguson revives the talent that made him one of the most sought-after prospects in the Premier League less than 18 months ago. If this transformation occurs under Gasperini’s guidance, he could emerge as a star for Roma, making his nearly €40 million buy option seem like a bargain. Ferguson appears to be the type of player who could consistently score 20 goals each season in Serie A, providing Roma with a solid foundation for their long-term attacking strategy.
