Arsenal & Chelsea target branded 'real disappointment' amid €100m links

Cameron Smith

• 14 Oct 2024 13:30 BST
• 3 min read

Former Chelsea forward Tony Cascarino believes Evan Ferguson has “gone backwards” since being linked with a €100 million move away from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Republic of Ireland international has struggled with injuries over the past year, but he hasn’t scored in his last 31 games for club or country, with his last goal coming against Nottingham Forest way back in November 2023.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked with a move for the 19-year-old since his breakthrough at the AMEX Stadium, but talk of a transfer has died down amid his dip in form.

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Ferguson has made four appearances for Brighton so far this season, although he is yet to start a Premier League game due to the impressive form of Danny Welbeck.

The veteran has netted four goals in seven league games in 2024-25, with Fabian Hurzeler a huge fan of the ex-Arsenal and Man Utd star.

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What has been said about Evan Ferguson?

Cascarino spoke about Ferguson’s struggles on talkSPORT. “I will tell you one player I want to mention because he was a £100 million player this time last year,” he said (as per The Chelsea Chronicle).

“He has gone nearly a year without a goal - Evan Ferguson.

“I know he had injuries, I know he had injuries, but where he was, and I watched him probably half a dozen times in the last year, and every game I have come away thinking, ‘Wow, it looks like he has gone a little bit backwards’.

“I think it’s a big moment for Evan Ferguson,” Cascarino added.

“Yes, he has played Premier League games for Brighton this season, but it feels like he needs to get back on the treadmill of getting goals and putting in performances that people talk about and he hasn’t quite got going.

“He has been a real disappointment for someone that was so highly-rated as a teenager.

“He has loads of time. And he has had injuries. I am being a little bit unfair. He has had injuries as well during that period of time that would have hindered him and set him back, but it just feels like he has not quite got his game together at the moment. Hopefully, he can.”