Striker linked with Chelsea in August now up for loan after scoring one goal | OneFootball

The Daily Telegraph this afternoon ran the very interesting story – an exclusive shared between head football writer Sam Wallace and Chelsea correspondent Matt Law – that Brighton striker Evan Ferguson will be on loan in January.

The 20 year old has only managed one Premier League start this season, and with the Seagulls doing well under new manager Fabian Hürzeler, there seems to be no room for a regular return.

After breaking into the team as an 18 year old, the Ireland international was attracting all sorts of attention from top clubs – including Chelsea – who were linked with monstrous offers for the emerging star. Those links continued up until the end of this summer.

Since then injuries, and a struggle to fit into then-manager Roberto de Zerbi’s system have slowed his progress and dropped him down the pecking order. A player who was briefly looking like a Harry Kane-style around number 9 is now stuck on the bench behind a grizzled Danny Welbeck.

Evan Ferguson playing for Brighton.

Chelsea will be linked with Ferguson – but move makes little sense

There’s no doubt Chelsea’s name will come up again now that Brighton are looking to send their player out ot develop somewhere. He showed so much ability at such a young age that 12 bad months won’t prevent top teams being linked. His Transfermarkt is holding strong at €45m, despite it all. What should actually put Chelsea off is the fact that he’s being loaned out at all.

Would he have any more chance playing at Chelsea than at Brighton, with Nicolas Jackson in this form? Would he have any more desire to be a bench warmer at Stamford Bridge than at the Amex? We’re not sure. Brighton will want him to be loaned so he can play and then hopefully return and get his career back on track.