Brighton makes Evan Ferguson available for loan amid limited playing time
- Evan Ferguson has started only one Premier League match this season, with limited appearances and a single goal.
- He previously enjoyed a successful season start, scoring six goals before suffering a long-term injury.
- Brighton plans to loan him out for better playing opportunities while viewing him as a long-term investment.
In England, Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson is poised to be made available for loan during the January transfer window. The 20-year-old has had minimal playtime this season, starting just once in the Premier League and coming off the bench six times, managing to score only once against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October. This goal marked a significant milestone as it was his first in over 11 months following a recovery period from a serious ankle injury in April that sidelined him for six months. Before his injury, Ferguson had enjoyed a promising start to the 2023-24 season, netting six goals in 12 league matches, which included a remarkable hat-trick against Newcastle United. However, his opportunities have been drastically reduced, as Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler has favored veteran striker Danny Welbeck, who has been in form with six goals in his 12 appearances this season. Additionally, with Joao Pedro’s return from injury and club-record signing Georginio Rutter strengthening the attacking lineup, Ferguson finds himself lower in the pecking order. Despite the current challenges, reports indicate that Brighton views Ferguson as a long-term investment. His camp remains optimistic, believing he has the potential to return to form once he regains full match sharpness. Reflecting Brighton's confidence in his abilities, Ferguson signed a new contract in November 2023 that extends until 2029. This followed an earlier commitment to a deal in April 2023 that was to last until 2028, amidst interest from several clubs, including Manchester United. The decision to potentially loan out Ferguson seems both strategic for the player’s development as well as a move to alleviate the club's immediate squad depth issues. By allowing him to gain more consistent game time elsewhere, Brighton hopes to ensure that he can become a more integral part of the squad in the future, once he overcomes his current difficulties on the field and adapts to the competition posed by more experienced teammates.