Can Roma move rejuvenate Ireland's Evan Ferguson?

Evan Ferguson's season-long loan deal to Serie A side Roma raised eyebrows this summer.

The Italian league has become somewhat en vogue in the last few seasons, particularly for some in the Premier League who are looking for a fresh challenge away from whatever difficulties they're finding at home. 

For Ferguson, his own challenge has been rediscovering the form that saw him burst onto the scene at Brighton in 2022 and was earmarked as the league's best young hitman. 

Since then, fitness has been a major issue, which has, in turn, led to a major downturn in form. So much so that a frustrating loan spell with West Ham last season yielded no goals from the Irishman and left doubts about what would happen next. 

His next stop was the Italian capital. And, six games into the new season, he's settling in well at his new surroundings. The forward has started three games in a start that has seen Roma lose only once, and they are now level on points with leaders Napoli.

That first elusive goal may still not have been recorded, but Ferguson did lay on the assist for Mathias Soule's winning strike against Pisa, while his displays in the Rome derby, where he ruffled a few Lazio feathers, went down very well with the fans as Roma enjoyed their first away derby win since 2016. 

“I thought it was a good move for him," former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane exclusively told DAZN news, thanks to Best New Bingo Sites. 

"It’s a very technical league, and Evan is very technically gifted in many ways, so I expect him to thrive there. 

"He looked a bit suffocated, and a new experience might just be what he needed. His loan at West Ham didn’t work out, and Brighton loaned him out there for whatever reason, so he clearly wasn’t in favour there.

"Gian Piero Gasperini is a great coach for him to have. He has developed plenty of talent, so if anyone can get Ferguson back firing, it’s him. Ferguson needs goals, and I think he will score plenty for Roma this season.” 
 

Keeping fit appears to be the key for Ferguson; he missed Roma's last outing before the break, but if he can stay injury-free, the move could be the best way to rejuvenate his career. 

Already, we've seen names such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Roma's own Tammy Abraham, and most prominently Scott McTominay, who left the mess at Manchester United behind to star in Napoli's title-winning season and earn a Ballon d'Or nomination. 

The striker has all the tools to be a success, and Jason McAteer, speaking to DAZN News, courtesy of Casino.org Ireland, thinks the change will be of great benefit to the forward. 

He said, "Jadon Sancho, Bellingham, they've gone and proven that a move away, consistent football, change your culture, change your lifestyle, change your scenery and friends. It will really help your football career.

"It's a big jump because they're young, but they're well-looked after now at football clubs, they cater for this now. Back in the ’90s, if I had moved to Italy, I could only imagine what it would have been like.

"But Roma are a really good club. Great history. - You look at McTominay, he's become a legend at Napoli because of the goals he scored last season. He's doing well again. They're pushing for the title - it's a fantastic move for Ferguson."

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Before he can think about emulating the feats of McTominay and co, Ferguson has two crucial World Cup qualifiers ahead of him this week, and while his club form has suffered, he's been in goalscoring form for his national team.  

The 20-year-old was on target in both Ireland's games in September, and after looking like shaking off an injury scare, will be in contention to lead the line against Portugal on Saturday. 

Ireland have only one point for their opening two games, but the group is still open enough for them to aim for a play-off place if they can get anything in Portugal and beat Armenia on Tuesday. 

"He scored for Ireland during the last international break. He was comfortably our best outfield player in those games," Kilbane added. 

"It would be amazing to see him get back to those levels he was playing at when he burst onto the scene in the Premier League." 

Those levels may seem a long way off right now, but if he can stay fit and Roma continue their impressive start to Serie A, Ferguson and Ireland's World Cup chances could be back on track. 

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