Brighton legend says Evan Ferguson could become as good as Harry Kane

Glenn Murray is a big admirer of the 18-year-old following a season where he scored six goals and provided two assists in 19 Premier League matches.

Ferguson capped off a remarkable season to score his first competitive Republic of Ireland goal with a powerful header against Gibraltar in June.

The striker looks a player beyond his years and Murray, who scored 111 goals in almost 300 games for Brighton, is a big fan of his maturity.

Ferguson celebrates against Grimsby Town in the FA Cup (Image: Simon Dack)

He was speaking ahead of Albion’s 2-0 win against Brentford on Wednesday as part of the USA Summer Series.

Murray said: “I believe he could be at Harry Kane’s level. His stature, his ability. The thing that bowls me over the most about him is his attitude. How humble he is as a young man.

“You see a lot of lads burst on to the scene, they have the money, the glamour, everything gets the better of them.

“But this kid is focused on football, he wants to continue to get better and it’s a pleasure to watch him week in week out.

“He has got loads to learn in the game but his knowledge for such a young man is exceptional.”

Murray celebrates scoring against West Ham in February 2020

Ferguson made ten starts and nine substitute appearances last season, recording a goal or assist every 119 minutes in the Premier League.

In all competitions, he scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 28 appearances.

Ferguson joined Albion aged 16 from Irish club Bohemians in 2021.

He caught some attention at the time when he made his debut aged just 14 against Derry City in September 2019 and also with a substitute appearance in a friendly against Chelsea in July that year.

Murray added: “I don’t think De Zerbi wants to put too much pressure on his shoulders where he doesn’t perform or becomes too difficult for him.

“Now they have a number of good forwards, Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck is there as an elder statesman. They have different options which takes the pressure off Evan a little bit.”

A proud family,the Ferguson clan after the game, pic.twitter.com/izkZo1c13Y

— St Kevin's Football Club (@stkevinsfc) July 10, 2019

And while it may be important to keep the pressure off of Ferguson, he has already shown himself to be a man for the big occasion.

A brilliant piece of movement and deft header to make it 2-2 rescued Albion a point against Leicester with just two minutes of normal time remaining back in January.

Three months later he scored a sublime goal when he flicked in a Mitoma cross with his back to goal against Bournemouth.

And when Albion needed to mathematically secure Europa League football, Ferguson came up big with two first half goals against Southampton.

Ferguson heads home against Gibraltar on June 19 (Image: PA)

His first goal against Grimsby in the FA Cup quarter final was arguably the best of the lot.

Ferguson touched down an awkward ball from Alexis Mac Allister and in seemingly one movement slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

He’s not just a goal scorer either, Ferguson’s ability to drop deep and provide for teammates is another exciting attribute.

Against Liverpool in the Premier League on January 14, Ferguson came to receive the ball near the half way line.

He then swivelled and played a neat ball into the path of Solly March who scored with an exquisite goal to make it 2-0.

Ferguson signed a new contract with Albion in April which will last until 2028.

Albion’s number 28 has a big future in the game and fans will hope that continues to be for the Seagulls for a while longer.