From an Irish perspective, we have been waiting for Evan Ferguson to establish himself in senior football for quite some time now. While he is still only 18-years old, he has been a familiar name to people in footballing circles in this country for a number of years.
Of course, even his biggest advocates probably wouldn't have quite predicted the impact he would have at this early stage in his career. His progress over the last 12 months has been remarkable, capped off with a Premier League hat-trick in his most recent appearance for Brighton.
That performance has now catapulted him onto the global stage, with the Meath native widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents in world football at the moment.
Alan Shearer is expecting big things from Evan Ferguson
Evan Ferguson has been receiving quite a bit of praise from British pundits due to his performances in the Premier League in recent times, with the likes of Gary Lineker and Jamie Carragher among those to talk up his potential.
In saying that, a latest endorsement from Alan Shearer is perhaps the most effusive praise we have heard of the player up to this point.
Writing in The Athletic, the Premier League's record goalscorer could hardly have spoken more highly about the up and coming Irish striker.
I’d never seek to pile pressure onto a young player’s shoulders, but then you watch Ferguson play and can’t help yourself.
At his age, all manner of things could happen to alter the pathway of his life and career and I’ve never met Evan, so can’t judge his mentality or attitude, but I’ve studied his performances and he has the potential to be massive.
We’re talking about a very special talent, someone who could be a superstar within a couple of years.
What do I love about him? Everything.
I love how he can bully defenders. I love his positioning, I love how he’s always asking different questions of the centre-half, either going up against him or, as he did against Newcastle, dropping in short, getting the ball to feet and turning. I love his movement in the box. Perhaps most of all, I love the purity and ferocity of his hunger; how much he craves goals.
Does that last point sound too basic? We’re living in an era of agile, versatile, creative forwards. Not every player burns with the desire to score whatever the circumstances or cost, but Ferguson has it.
High praise indeed.
If Evan Ferguson comes anywhere close to fulfilling his obvious potential, it will be a very exciting prospect for Ireland fans. We have arguably not had a player from this country starring at the very elite levels of club football since Roy Keane's time at Manchester United.
It will be incredibly interesting to see how his career develops over the coming years.
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