Evan Ferguson is a "phenomenal talent" who could be about to have a really big season, so says the Premier League's highest ever goalscorer, Alan Shearer.
The former Blackburn and Newcastle United striker suggested this coming Premier League campaign may be more or less make or break for the young Brighton player but Shearer is clearly a fan of the 12-times capped Republic Of Ireland frontman.
"Without doubt he can kick on. We’ve seen what he can do," Shearer said. "What he has to do now, he has to take it into the season and do it on a regular basis."
Ferguson, who doesn’t turn 20 until October, was Brighton’s Young Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season when he scored 10 goals in just 25 appearances, but the Meathman endured a hit and miss campaign last time around, finding the net just six times in 36 games.
"I don’t know what’s gone on at Brighton, whether the manager didn’t fancy him," Shearer – who recorded 260 Premier League goals during a glittering career – reasoned.
"All I know is I’ve seen a phenomenal talent there. I’ve seen the stature of him, his movement, seen what he’s like in front of goal.
"I’m hoping for his sake he can have a really big season because I loved what I saw, the raw enthusiasm, the raw ability.
"It was disappointing whatever it was, injuries or whatever, that he couldn’t kick on and have a really good season. I’m hoping that this is the season for him."
The 63-times capped England legend also had no qualms whatsoever about seeing Lee Carsley promoted to the top job as manager of the Three Lions, replacing Shearer's former international team-mate Gareth Southgate – albeit temporarily for now.
"That’s what happened with Gareth and (Luis) de la Fuente in Spain, he won the Euro Under-21s with them, promoted to first team," Shearer pointed out.
"Spain were the best team by a mile in the Euros. It can work, It worked with Gareth. That’s how he got the job."
Carsley, who won 40 caps for the Boys In Green, was strongly linked with the then-vacant Ireland manager’s job before finally ruling himself out some months ago – paving the way for the surprise appointment of Heimir Hallgrimsson.
"It’s the wise decision to give [Carsley] it, to give them time and bit of breathing space, to look at the bigger picture," Shearer said.
"If it works out for him and he gets results, then without doubt he could be the one to go and lead England in the future.
"It’s a great opportunity for him. He knows a lot of the players. I think it’s the right decision."
Another Ireland international, Sammie Szmodics, was top scorer for Blackburn – where Shearer won his only league title in 1995 – in the Championship last season. Many assumed the four-times capped striker would be on his way up to the big show for the 2024-25 season - and it looks like he will be joining Ipswich according to reports.
"Haven’t Southampton made a couple of offers for him that have been turned down? I saw him two or three times live last season," Shearer said ahead of news of that potential deal emerged.
"Newcastle played Blackburn in the cup and he was a constant threat at Ewood Park that night," he added of a tie where Szmodics scored in the 1-1 draw but missed a penalty in the shootout as Newcastle advanced.
"The position Blackburn finished in the Championship [19th of 24], for him to be top scorer was a remarkable achievement.
"It’s not a surprise for me that Premier League clubs have shown an interest. Whether that’s one for the end of the window, that wouldn’t surprise me if a deal was done."
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
