Evan Ferguson now has something he didn’t at Brighton, ‘it’s perfect for him’
Graham Potter didn’t have the resources to spend too much in the winter transfer window but signings were needed in order to improve the Hammers in the remainder of the campaign.
Although Jarrod Bowen has recently returned to first-team action, being without Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug left the East London outfit seriously needing attacking reinforcements.
The Hammers were able to pull off the loan signing of Evan Ferguson after interest throughout the window and the forward is at The London Stadium until the end of the campaign.
Evan Ferguson has the trust of Graham Potter at West Ham
It has been a slow season for Ferguson himself who found himself further down the pecking order at Brighton meaning he made just 13 appearances so far this term, scoring one goal in that time.
However, having worked under Potter before at the Amex Stadium, it wasn’t a surprise to see both parties were eager to reunite in 2025 in the hope of reviving the hopes of both the team and the player.
The 20-year-old had interest from other clubs during the window but it was the Irons who were able to secure his signature until the end of the Premier League campaign.
Former Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne spoke about the benefits of Ferguson’s move, saying he will have the trust of Hammers boss Potter – his ex-manager at Brighton – something he didn’t have under Fabian Hurzeler.
Dunne told Extra (9 February): “The main thing for Evan is having the trust of a manager. The new manager [Fabian Hurzeler] comes in at Brighton and found a system that worked with [Danny] Welbeck in the team, which meant Evan didn’t get the opportunities he would have wanted.
“Going with Graham Potter, a manager who knows Evan inside out, I think it’s perfect for him. He needs to play games at this stage. To go there [West Ham], with a manager who will get the best out of him, I think it’s brilliant for him.”
Evan Ferguson can revive himself at West Ham
Ferguson has been unlucky at Brighton this season as his lack of game time has not been a reflection of his own talent and performances, but rather the boss has found a system that works better where the 20-year-old is not included as much.
Therefore, you can understand why the youngster was keen to get himself out on loan in the winter window as he will be desperate to get some regular minutes under his belt and show what he can do.
Reuniting with Potter will also have made this an easier transfer for both parties as there is already a level of trust there with the Hammers boss knowing the levels he can expect from Ferguson while the forward will be keen to repay his new boss’ trust with strong performances.
The Irons have certainly lacked at the top end of the pitch this term and if Ferguson can solve these problems between now and the end of the season, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for both parties.