'We must get to know Evan and exploit his depth' - Roma boss praises early Ferguson impact

EVAN SENT: Evan Ferguson has settled quickly to life in Rome, the eternal city. Pic credit: AS Roma.

AS Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has urged his players to avail of Evan Ferguson’s strengths after the Irishman made an explosive start to his loan spell with the Serie A giants.

The striker followed up his four-goal blitz on his first outing against UniPomezia by grabbing the solitary strike in Saturday’s 1-0 pre-season friendly against Kaiserslautern.

Ferguson (20) displayed his poacher’s instincts by forcing defender Maxwell Gyamfi and goalkeeper Julian Krahl into a muddle, allowing him to stroke the ball into an empty net at a packed Fritz-Walter-Stadion in Germany.

A Kaiserslautern basta un gol di Evan ☘️

Gli highlights ▶️ https://t.co/GUYGbOJTwO#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/7NQOzsj3a0

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) July 26, 2025

Roma face Cannes on Thursday, Lens on Saturday before two further warm-up games await in England next week against Aston Villa (Wednesday) and Everton (Saturday).

The schedule has been devised by new manager Gasperini, geared towards the league opener against Bologna on August 23 at Stadio Olimpico.

Gasperini is rebuilding the team in the same way he sculpted Atalanta into Europa League winners last year.

His loan capture from Brighton and Hove Albion is at the centrepiece of his blueprint, heightening the necessity to utilise his natural traits of athleticism and application.

“Ferguson is a player who presses and can create these chances,” said the 67-year-old veteran boss, offering his impressions so far.

“If you win the ball high up the pitch, you have good chances of scoring. We need to get to know Evan and exploit his depth. In some situations, we could have looked for him more.

“We need to get used to involving the strikers a bit more, but that’s something I’ll work on during the games.”

As satisfied as Gasperini was with the firepower provided by the Meath man, he’s demanded additional resources to bolster his attack.

All 4 goals from Evan Ferguson today 🟡🔴pic.twitter.com/QhtSJptnto

— 🇮🇪 (@EireVideos) July 24, 2025

“It’s just the reality, and we can’t be hypocrites about this,” he said, connecting with the expectations of fans for a season competing on the domestic and European stage.

"Coaches always want things done, because otherwise, why do we even prepare if half the team leaves? This concerns everyone, but that's how it is.

"I hope that what we have in mind can be achieved. I know it takes more than a month, but I don't know how long because the transfer market never meets the coaches' schedule.

"It would be nice to achieve what I and the club have in mind."