‘Not quick enough’… Scout who was at Chelsea admits he doubted current transfer target, he’s now worth £100m

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Chelsea could make a move for one Premier League striker this summer as they look to strengthen up front.

Brighton & Hove Albion youngster Evan Ferguson is a long-term target for Chelsea, according to the Evening Standard.

The 19-year-old has really impressed at Brighton, but he had his doubters during his youth days. Former Chelsea academy scout Chris Robinson, speaking on Rising Ballers, has admitted that he was not convinced when he scouted Ferguson in the past.

However, it now looks like the Irishman could end up joining the Blues, though they are going to have to pay a huge fee to acquire his signature.

Last summer, FootballTransfers claimed that Brighton valued their striker at £100m. He has gone off the boil of late but did score a hat-trick against Newcastle United at the beginning of the season.

Chris Robinson had doubts about Evan Ferguson

Robinson has admitted that he thought Ferguson would never be quick or good enough to play in the Premier League.

On the Brighton man, he said: “He actually played against Chelsea, came off the bench when he was about 14, I think, in Ireland in a pre-season game — a big strong boy. And he came over at 16, something like that, to Brighton, only ever played U21s so I never saw him in the 18s I don’t think and I must have watched him six or seven times. I never saw him have a good game, I never saw him score a goal and I must have watched him six, seven times.

“So when people were saying to me, ‘What do you think of this Irish lad Evan Ferguson?’, ‘Oh, not for me. No, he’s a big strong boy, but he’s not quick enough. He’s not going to play in the Premier League.’ And then he goes in and does so well. Every credit to him and to Brighton.”

Evan Ferguson has proven himself in the Premier League

Making almost 50 Premier League appearances by the age of 19, Ferguson has shown that he is capable of playing in the English top flight.

However, the Republic of Ireland international probably has to do a bit more before he is worth a £100m transfer fee.

Ferguson has not actually scored a league goal for Brighton since November. As a young forward, inconsistency is to be expected. But if you are going to drop £100m on a player, it is not something that can be overlooked.

As well as Ferguson, Chelsea are also interested in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.