Brighton’s teenage sensation Evan Ferguson’s stats have already marked him out as one of the Premier League’s hottest young talents.
But with 11 Premier League goals in 2023, Ferguson is one away from a record not equalled this century.
No teenager has scored more in a calendar year since Francis Jeffers bagged 12 for Everton in 1999.
Jeffers made 77 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 20 goals. While never quite repeating his teenage goalscoring form, the Liverpool-born forward enjoyed a solid career.
With spells at Arsenal, Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday and Rangers among other clubs, he retired in 2013 with Accrington Stanley.
Even Ferguson will be hoping to equal Jeffers’ record of 12 top-flight goals in one calendar year when Brighton host Tottenham on Thursday. Brighton currently sit ninth in the league, nine points behind fourth-placed Spurs.
Ferguson has played a key role for the Seagulls so far, scoring six times in 16 Premier League games this season.
The young Irishman also played in five of Brighton’s six Europa League matches so far, as they topped Group B to reach the knockout stages alongside West Ham and Liverpool.
Evan Ferguson’s Brighton Stats
It’s been a breakthrough year for Even Ferguson. The 19-year-old has made 50 appearances for Brighton, but did not become a first-team regular until last season.
Ferguson burst onto the scene in 2022/23, playing 19 Premier League matches.
In those games, he scored six goals, while also providing two assists. This season, he’s already matched his previous goal tally, in just 16 games.
All together, Ferguson has 16 goals and four assists in his 50 senior Brighton appearances. But with the rate he’s improving, we can expect Evan Ferguson’s stats to improve rapidly over the next few seasons.
Ferguson is already a senior international, making his debut for the Republic of Ireland on 17 November 2022. Since then, he’s totted up eight caps, scoring three goals.
Such is the hype around the youngster, Manchester United have been linked with a January swoop for the teenager.
However, with him signing a new, six-year contract in November, it may be a while before we see another Ferguson walk through the doors at Old Trafford.
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