Eamon Dunphy gives his verdict on Evan Ferguson’s ‘turning point’ move to West Ham

Eamon Dunphy has delivered a hugely positive verdict on Evan Ferguson’s imminent loan move to West Ham.

The Brighton and Ireland striker will complete his switch once he passes his medical later on Sunday.

West Ham have won the race to land the 20-year-old. Arsenal, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Everton were among the Premier League clubs that also weighed up swoops for Ferguson.

Dunphy is particularly pleased that a former Brighton manager, Graham Potter, has sanctioned the swoop.

Potter was in charge of Brighton when Ferguson made his first-team debut in August 2021 in a League Cup win over Cardiff City. Later that season, Ferguson appeared in the FA Cup and then the Premier League, with his top-flight bow coming in February 2022 against Burnley.

Dunphy’s column appears in Monday’s Irish Daily Star, but in a sneak preview of his thoughts this week, he writes: “Hopefully this is a turning point for the young man, who has the weight of a nation’s hope and expectations on his shoulders.

“The great thing about this move is that West Ham clearly wanted him badly and feeling wanted is huge for a footballer’s confidence.

“The move comes at a time in Evan’s career - remember, he is still only 20 - when he needs to be playing first-team football in order to develop.

“You need to be learning your trade every single week at that age, and you can’t learn when you are not playing first-team football.

“The move is good for him and it’s great news for Ireland.

“Graham Potter knows him well, having managed him at Brighton, and clearly he has faith in him, which is going to be another huge confidence booster.”

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