Dietmar Hamann Evan Ferguson West Ham
(Credit: Imago)
Jonathan Burnett
Thu 20 March 2025 21:50, UK
Evan Ferguson has failed to hit the ground running since joining West Ham United in February.
West Ham signed the 20-year-old striker on loan from Brighton last month as their sole addition of the winter transfer window, but he’s certainly failed to hit the ground running at the London Stadium so far.
Ferguson is yet to start a Premier League match – let alone score a goal – in claret and blue, and has managed just 92 minutes of action across five substitute appearances for Graham Potter’s Hammers.
Potter was the driving force behind West Ham’s pursuit of Ferguson in January and a key reason for the Irishman choosing the Irons over other suitors, but their reunion is yet to make much of an impact.
His disappointment continued on the international stage with the Republic of Ireland, too.
Evan Ferguson
Evan Ferguson has made next to no impact since arriving at West Ham (Credit: Imago)
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Ferguson’s hardly been able to get a look-in since arriving in East London, and that lack of game-time has begun to affect his Republic of Ireland prospects after he was dropped for their clash with Bulgaria.
Date Match Minutes Goals Assists
15 February West Ham 0-1 Brentford 45 0 0
22 February Arsenal 0-1 West Ham 8 0 0
27 February West Ham 2-0 Leicester 17 0 0
10 March West Ham 0-1 Newcastle 21 0 0
15 March Everton 1-1 West Ham 1 0 0
Ferguson hasn’t made much impact in five substitute appearances since his move to West Ham
With the Republic facing a UEFA Nations League relegation play-off, the first leg of which was away in Plovdiv, Didi Hamann was shocked that Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson left Ferguson on the bench.
Thankfully for them, the Irish picked up an important 2-1 win, with the striker coming on late in the game.
In quotes reported by the BBC (20 March, 7:26 pm), Hamann said: “I think Evan Ferguson is one of the biggest talents in Irish football, English football, and probably European football.
“He finds it hard at West Ham, where he is on loan now, but if you want to qualify for the World Cup, do you think it is possible to do that without Ferguson scoring goals in the qualifying campaign?
“I don’t think it is – I would have started him tonight, maybe with [Troy] Parrott or maybe ahead of him.”
Graham Potter West Ham
Graham Potter requested West Ham sign Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton (Credit: Imago)
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When fit and on form, Ferguson is without doubt one of the Republic of Ireland’s best players, if not the best, and thus it’s no surprise to see him called into Hallgrimsson’s squad despite his meagre minutes.
Potter would undoubtedly have preferred to see Ferguson stay put at Rush Green during the international break and get up to speed with the rest of the remaining West Ham squad, but off he went to Bulgaria.
With Michail Antonio still out for the long term, Niclas Fullkrug slowly making his way back to fitness, and Danny Ings out of favour, Potter has none of the strikers he wants to utilise during Ferguson’s absence.
West Ham have very little to play for in their last nine games of the season, and Potter will hope Ferguson makes it his personal mission to rediscover his form and earn a permanent transfer this summer.
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