Alan Shearer believes Evan Ferguson can have a big season as Brighton’s centre-forward, ahead of the big Premier League kick-off.
Shearer was in Dublin to launch Guinness’s partnership as the Official Beer of the Premier League and Official Non-Alcoholic Beer of the Premier League. He was in no doubt of Ferguson’s talent.
“Without doubt he can kick on. We’ve seen what he can do” explained Shearer. Still only 19, Ferguson will miss the start of the premier league season as Brighton travel to Everton on Saturday.
The teenager underwent a procedure on his ankle, closing out his last campaign in March. While recovery is nearly complete, Saturday comes a little too soon.
Having burst onto the scene in 2021, Ferguson has landed 12 goals from just 27 appearances for Brighton. With Shearer quick to offer advice.
“What he has to do now, he has to take into the season and do it on a regular basis. I don’t know what’s gone on at Brighton, whether the manager didn’t fancy him”.
“All I know is I’ve seen a phenomenal talent there” added Shearer. “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” added Shearer. “I’m hoping that this is the season for him”.
New Ireland forward impresses Shearer
Shearer landed 283 league goals in 559 appearances all in the English top flight and his eyes have been caught by another Irish international.
Sammie Szmodics who qualifies for Ireland through his Granard born grandmother, finished as top scorer in the championship last term. Szmodics scoring 27 goals in 44 games.
“Haven’t Southampton made a couple of offers for him that have been turned down?” quizzed Shearer, who landed 23 goals in four years for the saints.
“I saw him two or three times live last season. Newcastle played Blackburn in the Cup and he was a constant threat at Ewood Park that night”.
“Obviously, the position Blackburn finished in the Championship, for him to be top scorer was a remarkable achievement” mused Shearer.
“It’s not a surprise for me that Premier League clubs, Southampton or whoever, have shown an interest.
“Whether that’s one for the end of the window, that wouldn’t surprise me if a deal was done with a Premier League club”.
As the season swings back into action this weekend, Shearer was willing to give his tips for who will make the coveted top four positions in May.
Arsenal
“If Arsenal sign a very, very good striker between now and the end of the window, then I’m going to go for Arsenal”.
“I think they had the best defence last season. They’ve added a quality defender to that in” Riccardo “Calafiori”.
Manchester City
“Man City will be there or thereabouts and try and go for five, which is remarkable in itself”.
“It will be interesting to see what they do, if anything in terms of replacing Alvarez. He played a significant part in what they did last season if not as much as he wanted. I’ll go second for them”.
Liverpool
“I know they’ve yet to dip into the transfer market. I’m pretty sure they will before the end of the window.
“Having said, that, they’ve still got a lot of quality especially in forward positions” explained Shearer who expects Slot’s men to finish third.
Newcastle United
“I’m going to go for Newcastle in fourth. Although it’s not a good thing, they’re not in European football”. Newcastle having they missed out on Europa League and Europa Conference football.
“What cost them last year, injuries, because of freer load not playing Wednesday or Thursday every other week, that may help them in terms of their league position”.
“If they were to get (Marc) Guehi. That would be a statement signing. He was one of England’s best players, if not the best, at the Euros. If they can get him in that would strengthen their case”.
Sandro “Tonali” will be “available at the end of this month. It will be like having a new player” Shearer explained. Marc “Guehi would help. Getting him, I’d be reasonably confident they can push for fourth place”.
Relegation
While Man City are in the hunt for their fifth title-in-a-row, the story at the bottom of the table will be just as intriguing.
Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton all arrive from the championship, aiming to retain a premier league place.
“I’d really like it to happen” explains Shearer when asked if any of the promoted three could stay-up. “It’s no different to any other season”.
Whereas, it’s “always an if with the three teams coming up, if by hook or by crook, they can stay in the Premier League and build”.
“Consider what’s happened to Ipswich” Shearer explains. “They’ve gone back-to-back promotions and the job Kieran (McKenna) has done. For them to come into the big boys league, imagine if they were to stay up! I would love to see that”.
“I’d love to see my old Southampton do it. We don’t know if Leicester are going to get a points deduction”.
“Or whether Everton will have another one, the uncertainty about their new stadium and everything else. Three clubs that come up always under huge pressure to stay there. I‘ve all three going down. I’m hoping I’m wrong”.
