Evan Ferguson’s Troubled Loan at Roma: What Lies Ahead for the Striker?

Evan Ferguson’s loan to AS Roma aimed to rejuvenate his career following a challenging period, but recent developments suggest it’s not unfolding as anticipated. What comes next for the young forward?

The Downfall at Brighton

Not long ago, Ferguson, 21, was considered Brighton’s next potential £100 million star, drawing interest from multiple Premier League clubs after a breakout season in 2022-23. However, injuries, a loss of form, and dwindling confidence have sharply reduced his value, and his loan to Roma was intended to mark a comeback. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case thus far.

Recent Italian media reports indicate that Roma might contemplate cutting Ferguson’s loan short in January. How did things reach this point, and what are the possible implications for Ferguson?

Struggles at Brighton

While Brighton’s roster isn’t brimming with elite strikers, they count on 35-year-old Danny Welbeck to spearhead their attack. Welbeck has managed to net seven times in 15 Premier League outings, indicating that their strategy isn’t entirely failing.

In the 2022-23 season, the Republic of Ireland international excelled, overpowering much older defenders and finishing with ten goals in 25 matches. However, the current season hasn’t mirrored that success; Ferguson’s campaign was overshadowed by a severe cruciate ligament injury, sidelining him for 147 days.

The situation became more complicated after Roberto De Zerbi, who had provided Ferguson with his debut, left the club and was succeeded by Fabian Hurzeler, who seemed less convinced about Ferguson’s potential. With Welbeck and Joao Pedro performing well, Ferguson found it tough to secure a spot in the starting lineup, leading to a loan move to West Ham in January for more playing time.

Yet, his time at West Ham was unremarkable, featuring in only eight matches without registering a goal. Despite this, Roma approached him, securing a loan deal that included a £30 million option to buy at the season’s end.

Ferguson’s Performance and Comparisons at Roma

Ferguson had a promising pre-season with Roma, scoring in back-to-back friendlies and raising hopes that he would recapture his previous form. However, competitive matches revealed a different story. He scored his first competitive goal for Roma in a 3-1 win over newly promoted Cremonese on November 23rd, but ultimately, goal scorers are judged primarily by their output.

In addition to his goal tally, Ferguson’s statistics paint a less favorable picture. He has only recorded 20 touches inside the opponent’s penalty area, took three shots on target, and has managed an expected goals (xG) of just 1.10. These figures are disappointing, yet when compared with his Roma teammates, the outlook shifts slightly.

Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala, also forwards for Roma, have scored only twice each. Matias Soule leads the Serie A team with four goals, primarily playing as a number ten rather than a traditional striker. Tommaso Baldanzi, who has occasionally played as a forward, has yet to find the net.

Roma’s recent performance has seen them drop from the top of the table to fourth position after losing consecutive matches against Napoli and Cagliari, heavily impacted by their inability to score goals. They currently sit lowest in scoring among the top four teams, with only 15 goals in 14 fixtures.

Future Prospects for Ferguson

According to Gasperini, Roma is open to allowing Ferguson more time to adjust but made it clear that he must improve, emphasizing: “Nothing against Evan Ferguson personally; it’s about performance, and he has had numerous opportunities.”

“We’re willing to wait for him, but he needs to elevate his game, not just technically. For instance, Hermoso is a key figure in the locker room and sets a strong example.”

While it remains uncertain how he perceives Ferguson’s situation privately, if his loan is cut short in January, he still has time to change opinions. With Dovbyk out due to a hip injury for the next few matches, this could provide Ferguson a chance to showcase his abilities.

Moreover, it’s crucial to remember that Ferguson is still young. Although this moment feels pivotal, it’s not a defining point in his career. He possesses significant potential, and a conducive environment at a high-level European club could still yield great results for him.