In Focus: Haaland comparisons are not far-fetched with Ferguson

Any young striker possessing the potential for greatness is going to find themselves compared to Erling Haaland. 

That has been the case for Evan Ferguson, who has been enhancing his growing reputation with his recent performances for Brighton. 

The centre forward was on target for the Republic of Ireland this week in their 4-0 win over Gibraltar. 

Ferguson will go up against Haaland as the Seagulls make the trip to Manchester City tomorrow — we take a look at two young strikers with plenty in common.

Haaland comparisons

When Ferguson netted his recent hat-trick for Brighton against Newcastle on September 2, Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker compared him to Citizens hitman Haaland.

The Norwegian netted his own treble in a 5-1 victory against Fulham on the same day. 

Lineker said: "I do see a hint of Haaland about him. 

"His stature and his movement and stuff like that and his youth as well." 

Ferguson's treble saw him become only the fourth 18-year-old to score a Premier League hat-trick. 

At the same age, Haaland was playing for Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga. 

While Ferguson has yet to consistently hit the sort of numbers that can be compared to the prolific Norwegian, it is worth remembering that he is playing at a very high level for his age.

Transfer link

Haaland and Ferguson will be playing on opposite teams on Saturday but that may not always be the case. 

Earlier this season, City were linked with a move for the talented teenager. 

The Premier League champions reportedly consider Ferguson to be the perfect successor for Haaland should the 23-year-old one day leave the club. 

Last season's Golden Boot winner is under contract until 2027 and his deal is said to contain clauses that could see him sold if certain conditions are met. 

Should Pep Guardiola's team fail to persuade Haaland to sign a new deal, then Ferguson would be the natural signing to make. 

With City very often opting to play with two strikers these days, the Brighton youngster could also be targeted sooner rather than later. 

Guardiola could then pick between Haaland, Ferguson and Julian Alvarez, while future-proofing his options. 

Shearer verdict

Alan Shearer has spoken about the Citizens' interest in Ferguson. 

He said: "It's no surprise Manchester City are reportedly among the clubs watching him. It would be more of a surprise if they were not. 

"It wouldn't be a shock if Ferguson was the next huge transfer out of Brighton. 

"If he keeps progressing the way he is doing, it's inevitable that something will happen not too far down the line." 

When Shearer went on to praise the Irish striker's qualities, you could be mistaken for thinking that he was talking about Haaland. 

He said: "I love how he can bully defenders. I love his positioning. 

"I love how he's always asking different questions of the centre-half, either going up against him or, as he did against Newcastle, dropping in short, getting the ball to feet and turning. 

"I love his movement in the box. Perhaps most of all, I love the purity and ferocity of his hunger. How much he craves goals." 

Haaland is a special striker but in Ferguson, Brighton have a player with the potential to reach similar heights.