Evan Ferguson’s statement hat-trick catapults him up Dream Team rankings – transfer time?

IF you thought Brighton demanded a lot of money for the likes of Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo just wait until you see the price tag they slap on Evan Ferguson.

There aren’t many fans, be they among the Amex faithful or unbiased neutrals, tipping the 18-year-old for anything other than than a blindingly bright future.

On Saturday, the Republic of Ireland international delivered his latest emphatic statement of intent in the form of a match-winning hat-trick at home to Newcastle.

DREAM TEAMIf you’re good enough, you’re old enough[/caption]

Granted, there was an element of luck to his third goal via a huge deflection but it was Fergsuon’s second goal that highlighted his potential most clearly; a composed side-footed finish from 25 yards out – a type of goal you don’t see too often.

His first goal was the kind of opportunistic close-range finish that makes up the bread and butter of a striker’s diet.

Ferguson’s efforts earned the Seagulls three points when all was said and done but, more importantly, he banked 22 Dream Team points to catapult him up the rankings.

The talented teenager now has 36 points overall, a tally only bettered by Erling Haaland (£8.1m) and Odsonne Edouard (£2.6m) among forwards.

And he’s currently seventh among all assets at this stage.

This is particularly impressive considering he was limited to just 35 minutes across the first two Gameweeks.

Hat-trick heroGetty

Injuries to Danny Welbeck (£2.4m) and Julio Enciso (£2.2m) in the advanced positions have led to increased playing time for Ferguson and if Saturday is anything to go by, Roberto De Zerbi will have a hard time benching him any time soon.

The Italian tactician has previously mentioned that he believes teenagers should be managed but Ferguson is no normal 18-year-old.

He’s clearly good enough to play a significant role in the top flight and, perhaps more pertinently, he’s already fully developed physically.

While plenty of players his age are yet to fill out, Ferguson stands 6ft 2in tall and is broad enough to hold off Premier League centre-backs.

De Zerbi will do what’s best for his player and his team but the clamour to start Ferguson regularly will be hard to ignore.

REUTERSDe Zerbi must be tempted to back Ferguson as his first-choice striker this season[/caption]

Right now, 4.6% of Dream Team bosses are backing Brighton’s No28 but his hat-trick will undoubtedly lead to spike in popularity over the international break.

It’s worth noting that the south coast club will begin their Europa League campaign in Gameweek 5 against AEK Athens – not before a Premier League meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Generally speaking, Dream Team gaffers should endeavour to select as many players as possible who will pull double duty during European Gameweeks.

You look at somebody like Ollie Watkins (£4.4m), who is more expensive, nearly twice as popular, and has half as many points as Ferguson and it’s hard not to be tempted by a transfer to bring the latter into your XI.