Gasperini’s Ferguson claim a direct message to Brighton and Man United

Gian Piero Gasperini has done nothing to deny his disappointment towards Evan Ferguson, and his words sound like a transfer message for Brighton and Manchester United.

Safe to say Roma coach Gasperini is unhappy with Irish striker Ferguson.

The Brighton loanee contributed to Roma’s only goal against Juventus on Saturday, but Gasp was still unhappy with his performance and, overall, attitude.

“Ferguson is still not convincing me, including in the second half today,” Gasperini told Sky Sport.

“It’s not just his technique; he and a few other new signings still haven’t settled fully into the spirit of this team.”

A few minutes later, he added at a press conference attended by Football Italia: “If I have to choose between Dybala and Ferguson, I’d choose Dybala every time. It’s not about Ferguson; it’s a choice I’ve made before, and if that’s the choice, I choose Dybala.”

Ferguson joined Roma on loan with a €35m option to buy from Brighton last summer, but the 21-year-old has only scored three goals in 17 appearances across all competitions this season.

It’s no secret that Roma are looking for a new centre forward in the January transfer window, and Football Italia reported earlier this week that Giacomo Raspadori has already given the green light for a move to the Olimpico, although Gasp’s priority remains Manchester United’s forward Joshua Zirkzee.

Gasperini had previously claimed that Ferguson would have time to prove his worth at the Olimpico, but with the January window approaching, the Italian tactician seems to have lost patience with the Irish striker, who is clearly not seen as a starter by Gasp.

Under such circumstances, it would not be surprising to see Roma send Ferguson back to Brighton in the January window, a scenario that even the English club’s coach Fabian Hurzeler refused to rule out just a few days ago.

Gasperini seems to have lost faith in Ferguson, but he’d still need one or, ideally, two reinforcements in attack in the winter transfer window before sending the Irish striker back to England, a move that would also require Brighton’s approval.

Gasperini also argued that he won’t necessarily need a classic centre-forward to play up front, given that even using Dybala as a false nine is a better option than fielding Ferguson.

Neither Raspadori nor Zirkzee is are classic centre-forward, but their dynamism and ability in the link-up play will suit Gasperini’s playing style. The Italian tactician already wanted to sign both players at Atalanta in the past, and he certainly hopes that both can move to the Olimpico next month to boost Roma’s hopes to finish in the top four.

“We must aim to improve, and I hope the January transfer window can help us do that. It’s not easy, but we have to believe,” Gasperini concluded last night.