Evan Ferguson: Premier League player watch

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For the first two years after signing for Brighton in January 2021 – just a few months after his 16th birthday – Evan Ferguson was knocking on the door of the first team. Then, when 2022/23 came around, he really started to make an impact at senior level – first under Graham Potter, and then as a more integral part of the team since Roberto De Zerbi took over.

An energetic and agile centre-forward who scores goals but is also comfortable coming deep to link play, Ferguson looks like the archetypal modern striker. He has scored several times for Brighton early on in his career there, and already appears to be close to cementing the first-choice number-nine spot under De Zerbi.

Here, we analyse a player who has already been linked with some of the biggest and best clubs Europe to see where his strengths lie and which parts of his game he could still improve. 

Technical analysis

Ferguson is a right-footed centre-forward who, despite only turning 18 a couple of months into the 2022/23 campaign, is more than capable of dealing with the physical demands of Premier League football. He stands out in part for his clever movements to receive between the lines, where he then receives on the half-turn and more often than not looks immediately for a shooting opportunity. This mentality ensures he maintains a constant threat on goal, while also adding flexibility and fluidity to his team’s front line as he is happy to come short or stay high up the pitch. With the game now demanding strikers who can run in behind and drop to link with runners, Ferguson is well placed to succeed at the highest level.

Once inside the penalty area, Ferguson is extremely agile. He can adjust his body quickly and effectively to work himself the best possible shooting opportunity. He reacts to the flight of the ball into him to work an attempt on goal, and he often generates enough power to hit the target (above). However, he still needs to improve his decision-making when it comes to choosing how much power to put into his shots. His preference is to strike through the ball when there are plenty of opportunities that may require a placed, delicate, more considered finish. This is particularly noticeable with Ferguson if he is running in behind a high line or finishing from a tight angle after running across a centre-back.

When there is the chance to run in behind, Ferguson will often bend his run away from the ball first, before then darting into the space beyond the opposition’s back line (below). This smart movement allows him to initially get on the blindside of his direct opponent, and then receive the pass across his body as he runs in on goal – which makes it easier for him to take the ball in his stride before getting a shot off. He can shoot across goal with either foot and is also adept at cutting back inside to shoot with the inside of his boot. This versatility means he doesn’t particularly favour one particular angle of approach towards goal. As a result, he can score in a greater range of situations.

Should he not receive a through ball following his first movement, Ferguson will arc his run back around to run in front of his marker. This can lead to chances to step on to the ball and shoot first time rather than letting the ball run across his body. As is the case closer to goal, however, if he can add more variety and disguise to his shooting – not always going for power – he will become a more proficient goalscorer.

After receiving a direct ball forward with his back to goal, Ferguson has the ability to play off one touch to set the ball to a teammate or work the ball around the corner. He can also pin his opponent and hold the ball up, and has shown already he can do this against big, strong Premier League centre-backs. Even when involved in this kind of link play, he retains his focus on being a threat on goal, and will often spin away from his marker after setting the ball off (below). His aim here is to quickly get in behind the opposition, but even if he isn’t found immediately, his sharp, constant movements have other benefits. His runs in behind will create more space for the teammate he has passed to, while also disrupting the opposition’s back line as his centre-back opponent may choose to follow him or attempt to block him off. 

Ferguson as a centre-forward

Following Roberto De Zerbi’s change to a 4-2-3-1 shape at Brighton, Ferguson has played as the lone forward. As Brighton build from the back with their double pivot dropping deep, both wingers come inside and look to receive vertical passes from the defenders, which creates space for the full-backs to advance. On other occasions, the full-backs invert and the wingers hold the width. Either way, there will be central support in De Zerbi’s build-up, giving Ferguson players to connect with or set the ball back to after he receives, or to use as decoys before playing a ball in behind.

Ferguson will also make powerful, penetrative central runs after dropping deep. As Brighton often have several central passing options available, Ferguson can receive a direct ball looking for him in behind (below), or play can be progressed through the middle of the pitch and he can then receive even higher up the pitch, much closer to goal. Under De Zerbi, Brighton have been brilliant at breaking lines centrally with up-back-through combinations that draw their opponents out of shape. Ferguson then provides enough of an attacking presence to compete against several central defenders, and make runs into space in behind.

Dropping deeper

With Brighton relying heavily on their central build-up play, Ferguson plays a crucial role dropping to connect with the attacking midfielders. Whenever the double pivot is missed out with a vertical pass out of defence, Ferguson will drop short to receive. The number 10 will then make an opposite movement to Ferguson, especially when the centre-forward drops into the inside channel. This creates a box unit in the centre of the pitch (below), while also pulling one of the opposition’s central defenders out of position.

Space is then created for the wingers – players such as Solly March or Kaoru Mitoma – or sometimes even a full-back who has pushed high up the pitch. This is most effective when the player making this run is on the same side as the the opposing centre-back who Ferguson has dragged out of position.

Ferguson’s ability to pin his opponent means Brighton’s centre-backs, Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster, have an option if the double pivot is aggressively marked. This is a recurring tactic as teams slowly work out how to press high against De Zerbi’s build-up style.

Ferguson’s movement into the inside channels as he drops also helps the double pivot receive facing forwards more, as he can set back to them after receiving from a centre-back. Ferguson is also not afraid to attempt passes around the corner or use deft flicks to find runners who have advanced from deep. These are difficult passes to pull off but, when they work, he plays a key role in getting his team into a dangerous position very quickly.

Still only a teenager, Ferguson is already far more than just an up-and-coming talent. He looks totally at home leading the line for a top-half Premier League team, and given how long he has left in his career, he will surely do so for a team even higher up the table at some stage. He is certainly one to keep half an eye on over the coming years, but his recent rise suggests he might do enough to grab your attention in the meantime.

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Author: The Coaches' Voice