Evan Ferguson’s first Serie A goal arrived at last this weekend, and while it was a moment of relief for the striker and a boost for Roma, there is still plenty of work ahead. The 19-year-old joined Roma from Brighton on loan in the summer, hoping to rediscover the explosive form that once made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting young forwards.
In pre-season, Gian Piero Gasperini was so impressed that he was reportedly ready to sell Artem Dovbyk to give Ferguson the role of long-term No.9. But as the competitive season unfolded, the goals dried up. Performances have been tidy in parts, but the cutting edge that defined Ferguson’s early rise has remained elusive — until Cremonese away.
Roma’s 3–1 victory sent them clear at the top of the table, and Ferguson’s strike, which made it 2–0, felt like a psychological weight lifting. Still, both club and player know this has to be a beginning, not an arrival.
Gasperini: “It was a very important goal for all of us”
Speaking to DAZN after the game, Gasperini made no attempt to hide his delight at Ferguson’s long-awaited breakthrough.
“We’re happy for him, of course, but overall it was a very important goal for all of us,”
the Roma manager explained. “It made the score 2–0… we were playing well and creating many major chances, but that second goal made us realise that we could win.”
The celebration on the touchline said plenty: Gasperini wants Ferguson to succeed — and knows a confident version of him could be decisive in the title race.
Ferguson’s Serie A numbers so far
| Stat (2025/26) | Evan Ferguson |
|---|---|
| Games played | 11 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Minutes played | 450 |
| Accurate passes | 8.0 (79%) |
source: Sofascore data – 24 November 2025
These numbers underline both the promise and the frustration. Ferguson’s link-up play has been tidy, his hold-up moments decent — but with only 1 goal in 450 minutes, Roma need more presence, more aggression, and more output.
Our View: Why Ferguson is still far from the finished product Roma need
Having followed Ferguson closely from his early Brighton breakthrough, this move always looked like a crossroads in his development. In our view, the striker’s early issues in Serie A come down to adaptation — not ability. Italian football is slower between boxes but more punishing in the penalty area; strikers must dominate duels, bully centre-backs and time their movement with precision. Ferguson is still learning those nuances.
Although some observers are already leaning toward frustration, other indications point differently: Gasperini’s public backing shows he views Ferguson as a long-term project, not a stopgap. This seems optimistic for a player still finding confidence, but it also means the opportunity is enormous — and still alive.
From my experience watching Gasperini teams at Atalanta, forwards who embrace his physical and tactical intensity tend to explode after initial teething phases. Look at Zapata, Lookman, Højlund. Ferguson can follow that path — but only if consistency follows this breakthrough.
Tactical Forward View – What Roma need from him next
Gasperini’s system requires the No.9 to:
- attack space relentlessly,
- link play under pressure, and
- finish low-percentage chances with conviction.
Ferguson has shown flashes of each but rarely in the same match. If he strings those elements together, Roma suddenly become far more unpredictable, with midfield runners like Pellegrini and Koopmeiners benefitting enormously.
This goal is a start — but the next month will show whether Ferguson can transform relief into momentum.
Key Insights
- Ferguson scored his first Serie A goal in Roma’s 3–1 win over Cremonese.
- Gasperini celebrated the moment passionately and reaffirmed his belief in the striker.
- Despite the goal, Ferguson has just 1 goal and 1 assist in 11 games.
- Roma’s title push could hinge on whether he can produce consistently.
- Ferguson remains a long-term investment rather than a short-term solution.
What’s Next
Roma face Napoli on 30 November 2025, followed by a crucial European fixture. If Ferguson builds on his breakthrough, he could secure a starting role through the winter — a period that may define both his loan spell and his long-term future at Brighton or Rome.
👉 Roma fans — will Ferguson kick on from here, or does Gasperini need another striker in January?
1 Comment (last comment by JamesLove)
First read message
By JamesLove 24 Nov 2025 11:16
Brighton almost scammed Chelsea by slapping a price tag of 100M on this kid.
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