'That little strut' - Alan Shearer sees himself in next 'superstar' Evan Ferguson

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Round Group B, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 19/6/2023 Republic of Ireland vs Gibraltar Ireland’s Evan Ferguson celebrates scoring their second goal Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

Alan Shearer sees much of his young self in Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson, who he regards as a "special talent" who could be "a superstar within a couple of years".

Writing in his column for the Athletic, Shearer raves about Ferguson's ability and says he loves everything about him.

"I’m not sure how to write this next bit without sounding like a wanker… but as I watched Ferguson against Newcastle, I caught myself thinking, ‘Yeah, I recognise that’ or, ‘Hmm, I may have seen some of that before’. 

"I don’t know whether it was his exuberance or confidence, the touch of arrogance, but that little strut, the way he handled himself, was very reminiscent of how I felt at that age. Goals were my drug and we share the addiction."

File photo dated 16-04-2022 of Alan Shearer, 

Shearer adds: "We’re living in an era of agile, versatile, creative forwards. Not every player burns with the desire to score whatever the circumstances or cost, but Ferguson has it."

Shearer, the Premier League's record goalscorer, has watched Ferguson's game closely and can't identify a weakness.

"Left foot, right foot, headers, pace, aggression, intuition; there is no obvious weakness to his game, which is only going to get better and better. He has the lot.

"At his age, all manner of things could happen to alter the pathway of his life and career and I’ve never met Evan, so can’t judge his mentality or attitude, but I’ve studied his performances and he has the potential to be massive. We’re talking about a very special talent, someone who could be a superstar within a couple of years."

As well as his prowess as a goalscorer, Shearer was renowned as a physical centre forward who could mix it with the toughest defenders. And he sees that ability in Ferguson too. 

"I love how he can bully defenders. I love his positioning, I love how he’s always asking different questions of the centre-half, either going up against him or, as he did against Newcastle, dropping in short, getting the ball to feet and turning. I love his movement in the box. Perhaps most of all, I love the purity and ferocity of his hunger; how much he craves goals."

Shearer picked out some of Ferguson's work for the Republic of Ireland in the Euro qualifier win over Gibraltar to underline how is also effective leading the press.

"Ferguson presses from the front. He’s speedy, he doesn’t mind working hard, he understands he’s got a part to play for the team and he will look to force errors. He has the vision to find his teammates, to play weighted passes, knowing what and who is around him. So many times you see people fail with the important pass, but Ferguson can pick out players. He can also accelerate past defenders and then get in front of them, so their only option is to bring him down."

Brighton and Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match against Newcastle Photo: Steven Paston/PA Wire. 

The former England man expects Ferguson's career to follow a similar trajectory to his own insofar as both made their initial impact on England's south coast before attracting attention of the game's biggest clubs. 

"It’s no surprise Manchester City are reportedly among the clubs watching him. It would be more of a surprise if they were not. It wouldn’t be a shock if Ferguson was the next huge transfer out of Brighton, not that I wish it for them, but if he keeps progressing the way he is doing, it’s inevitable that something will happen not too far down the line — for the right price, of course.

"Brighton has a similar feel to the club I joined as a kid. At Southampton, if you were good enough you were old enough, something which applied to them signing you in the first place as well as granting you the opportunity to play matches. Brighton are a Premier League club and are in Europe this season, but I do believe there’s less scrutiny and pressure down there and more scope for young players to express themselves.

"Ferguson is a special talent, one that needs to be nurtured. He’s at the right club at the right time but, as far as the future goes, he can be anything he wants to be."