FROM EVAN TO HELL

Milner warns Ferguson early move may derail his career

EVAN FERGUSON has been told to snub interest from bigger clubs and stay put at Brighton.

Chelsea have already been linked with a January transfer window swoop for the 19-yearold Ireland international.

Brighton could slap a €100 million price tag on the teenager in an attempt to keep the Premier League’s top sides at bay.

Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber admitted this week that it will be part of Brighton’s business model to cash in on Ferguson at some point.

But for now, he stressed the importance of allowing the

Bohemians ace to develop further by staying where he is.

And that sentiment has been echoed by team-mate James Milner, who feels Ferguson doesn’t need to jump ship.

Ferguson is one of the Premier League’s hottest properties after scoring 16 goals for the first-team, and six of them this season.

He only signed a new long-term deal in November, but is on the radar of all the league’s biggest clubs, not to mention some of Europe’s leading lights.

But Milner feels Brighton have a responsibility right now to ‘protect’ their star asset.

“There’s hype around him, as there should be, but he’s definitely in the right place at this moment in time and hopefully he’ll keep banging them in for us,” said Milner (inset).

In an interview with TNT, the former England star continued: “I think he’s a great lad, first and foremost – wants to learn, wants to get about, which is so important.

“He’s in a great place in terms of the club, the manager he’s working with.

“Senior players he works with, looking at someone like Welbz [Danny Welbeck] – how he goes about his business and how he plays. He’s in a great spot.”

Milner, 38, is adamant that Ferguson has all the attributes to carve out a strong career in English football’s top flight.

And he has been particularly impressed with the threat the big striker poses in and around the opposition’s box – not just his goals return.

Milner said: “His finishing is phenomenal you know, it’s just so good.

“If a chance is falling, you want it to go to him.”

But Milner feels the teen star should delay a big money move as his run of regular minutes at Brighton will only stand to him.

If Ferguson were to move to Chelsea or Manchester United, his game time could be limited whereas Milner feels he will only go from strength strength where he is.

“There are so many areas he can improve,” said the three-time Premier League winner with Manchester City and Liverpool.

“But that’s normal for a young guy. His ability already, I’ve seen massive improvements in his hold-up play since the start of the season.

“Depending on what team you’re playing in, his finishing might be enough for one team.

“But how we play – his hold-up play, the cleverness, the movement to fit into the style of play we play, that’s important as well.

“His attitude is fantastic but his ability is so good. It’s important that we protect him.”

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