Maradona’s mate expects Fergie to bounce back at Bologna despite disastrous injury
Lewis Ferguson’s cruciate injury has ended his prospects of a £20 million summer move to Juventus or Napoli – and with it, Aberdeen’s seven-figure sell-on bonus.
That is the view of former Napoli and Inter star Salvatore Bagni, who argues the Scot will now have to prove himself all over again before he can look at joining one of Italy’s biggest names.
The good news is he is convinced Bologna is the perfect club to be with on his journey back to full fitness.
“I feel really sorry for Ferguson because that is a serious injury he has suffered, one that is bad news both for his club and his country,” said the Italian, a team-mate of Diego Maradona in Napoli’s 1987 title triumph.
“Bologna who are bidding to win through to the Champions League for the first time and Scotland who have the Euros to look forward to in a couple of months.
“Losing a player of his quality, someone who offers both defensive stability and attacking threat from the centre of midfield is bound to have an effect.
“I have followed Lewis since he played in Scotland, he is a serious boy and a great professional one who can go to the very top.”
An ascent that would be great news for Aberdeen, the Dons having negotiated a 15% sell-on clause in his deal when selling him to Bologna for £2.1 million in the summer of 2022.
The dramatic impact Ferguson has made in Italy – he is the top Scottish scorer in Serie A history, having overtaken previous holder Denis Law – has made that bit of business look ever more shrewd.
However, Bagni warns, any thoughts of dividend will havetogoonhold.
“This injury will have a huge impact on the prospects there were for the player to move in the summer,” he said.
“I am convinced that now there will be no clubs ready to buy him.
“Everyone will first want to see when and how he will recover.
“This is why I believe he will stay at least another year in Bologna.
“It can help him come back even stronger than he was before. It is 100% where he needs to be.
“Remember, Ferguson is the captain of the club, an honour and a responsibility he was handed because of his achievements on the pitch.
“Becoming a leader was natural for him, he is a boy who says little, but who gives everything on the pitch, and in his relationship with his teammates, with the fans.”
Itis,bagniargues,a winning attitude which should stand him in good stead for the challenge ahead.
“This will be a difficult
period for Ferguson, because an absence of many months is dangerous not only for the body, but also for the mind,” he said.
“From a psychological point of view, it will not be easy.
“However, he has a strong character and will already have experience of how to overcome difficult moments in his career.
“As I say, it is both my belief and my wish that he can come back from this test even stronger than he was before. And, of course, that would be to the longterm benefit of the Scotland national team.
“For now, though, what he needs to do is to concentrate on getting better.”