By:
Graeme Hanna
The immediate future of Evan Ferguson is in the hands of Roma, according to Brighton and Hove Albion CEO Paul Barber.
He has intimated that the Republic of Ireland striker is ‘very unlikely’ to be recalled from his loan in Serie A this month.
In a wide-ranging interview posted to the official Brighton website, Barber outlined the situation with Evan Ferguson and why he isn’t expected to return to the American Express Stadium this season.
“It’s very unlikely, I would say,” said the Seagulls’ CEO.
“We don’t have that (recall) option, so if he were to come back, it would be because the club that has him at the moment doesn’t need him in the second half of the season.
“At the moment, it seems very unlikely. He’s playing well and scoring goals, it’s not really one that is in our gift.”
Further uncertainty on Evan Ferguson Roma future
Ferguson’s latest outing for Roma came in Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 loss away to Atalanta, when he was replaced just before the hour mark by Artem Dovbyk.
The man from Bettystown, Co. Meath, has endured a stop-start period in recent months, with spurts of progress and form not quite translating into sustained form. Not yet, anyway.
He has recorded four goals across 19 appearances for the Giallorossi, with two in Serie A and two strikes against Celtic in the Europa League.
Italian press critical of Ferguson’s inconsistency
His most recent decisive contribution came in the 3-1 league win over Genoa last month, when he scored and won the Man of the Match award.
Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has been vocal in his criticism of the Irish striker, keeping him on his toes with demands for improvement as well as encouragement when he has performed well.
After the loss in Bergamo, the Rome daily newspaper Il Messagero pointed the finger at Evan Ferguson for his lack of form.
“Ferguson does one thing and misses two. Evan hasn’t found consistency, and a week after his goal against Genoa, he’s been the subject of another lacklustre performance,” they said.
“His future remains uncertain. Talks with Brighton about terminating his loan are ongoing, and his relationship with Gasperini isn’t the best, despite his four goals since the end of November.”
Evan Ferguson latest link to Spanish club
Overall, uncertainty abounds.
Brighton have gone public that the decision on Evan Ferguson is Roma’s to make.
His loan in the Italian capital has been a challenge, with Ferguson’s Roma future not yet secured.
The club and Gasperini could yet decide to move in another direction, but the player will want to know where he stands very soon.
Real Betis are the latest club to be linked with Evan Ferguson, following on from the likes of Fenerbahce, Everton, Napoli and Celtic.
Roma have six games remaining until the end of January and it could be that the striker is still playing for his future, to show that he can be relied upon to play his part this season.
Categories
- Athletics (5)
- Aussie Rules (1)
- Basketball (12)
- Camogie (3)
- College American football (1)
- Combat (185)
- Cricket (17)
- Cycling (4)
- Darts (36)
- Editors-picks (13)
- Football (1210)
- Formula-1 (14)
- GAA (308)
- Golf (162)
- Hockey (1)
- Horse Racing (172)
- interviews (3)
- LGFA (3)
- MLB Baseball (2)
- NFL (23)
- ROI Radar (1)
- Rowing (1)
- Rugby (188)
- Snooker (6)
- Swimming (3)
- Tennis (17)
- Uncategorized (17)
- WWE (1)
