‘Man-child Evan’s like new Kane’
ALL eyes were on Frank Lampard as he made his Chelsea managerial bow in a low-key friendly against League of Ireland side Bohemians in Dublin.
The former England star had just taken over from Maurizio Sarri in July 2019, but at the final whistle he ended up sharing the headlines with a 14-year-old who had been thrust into the action as a 67th minute sub.
And, with a couple of minutes to go, schoolboy Evan Ferguson set up the equaliser for Eric Molloy in the 1-1 draw.
Having represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-16 level, it was clear that Bohemians had a star in the making
Now, four years later at Brighton and set to lead the Republic of Ireland attack against Latvia and France in the coming days, 18-year-old Ferguson has been compared to a young Alan Shearer and a fledgling Harry Kane.
No wonder there is growing interest from the Premier League big boys in the player dubbed a ‘man-child’ by the Seagulls coaching staff, 6ft 2in and still growing.
But owner Tony Bloom insists that the gifted teenager will not be joining players such as Ben White, Yves Bissouma, Leandro Trossard and Marc Cucurella in leaving the south-coast club just yet.
Bloom said: “I have no doubt that the best place for Evan is at Brighton.
“We love him here, he has been amazing and to take to the Premier League at his age, as he has done, means he is a very special talent.”
Now, as Brighton look to reach the FA Cup semifinals at the expense of Grimsby, Ferguson will be a major component of their attacking armoury.
Former Republic of Ireland international Shay Given said: “He looks the real deal. We’ve been lacking someone like a Robbie Keane for a while – a player who has got everyone excited. I think Evan has changed that.”