Ferguson is given some Good vibes about future
CHAMPIONSHIP pundit Don Goodman can see precisely why Crystal Palace are so keen to sign Albion star-in-the-making Nathan Ferguson – despite his injury concern.
Ferguson’s £9 million January move to Palace fell through after an underlying knee problem was discovered in his medical.
The Birmingham-born defender is in rehab having undergone exploratory surgery and is still expected to sign for the Eagles when his contract expires later this year.
Ferguson’s rapid progress has exceeded all expectations. The 19-year-old has not looked back since he was a surprise choice to join the senior squad on their pre-season training camp in Spain last year.
He started a series of pre-season fixtures and lined up in the openingweekend win at Nottingham Forest. Ferguson was many people’s man of the match that day, including Goodman. He has seen plenty of Ferguson since and understands why former Albion manager Roy Hodgson is so keen to complete the deal – likening him to the defender he could eventually replace in south London.
“I did the first game, Nottingham Forest away, and remember being blown away by Nathan Ferguson,” Goodman said. “It was a performance I won’t forget because it was so mature and so good. I gave him man of the match that day.
“He was up against Joe Lolley, one of the best wide players in the division, and he had him in his pocket.
“I think the performances that followed only highlight the fantastic player he become.
“I’ve likened him to (Manchester United’s) Aaron Wan-Bissaka. If you look at Wan-Bissaka and where he is now, the similarity is that, while they both could improve going forward with the quality of their delivery and maybe their passing, in terms of defending, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone get past them, ever.
“That’s what it feels like. Defensively, they’re fantastic.”
The Baggies would not receive a transfer fee if Ferguson joined Palace as a free agent, but would be entitled to compensation set by a tribunal.
Albion received £4.2 million when free agent Morgan Rogers moved to Manchester City last summer, but they could expect a larger sum for Ferguson because he has been at the club longer and played far more firstteam matches.
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The last of his 21 games this term was in the 2-1 defeat to Cardiff on January 28, two days before his proposed transfer to Palace collapsed, while his only goal came in a 2-0 victory at QPR in September.
Ferguson is one of 17 different players to score a Championship goal for West Brom this season. Goodman, who made 181 appearances for the Baggies, says their ability to spread out the goals, much like another of his former clubs Leeds, is what will get them both promoted.
“Although these teams are at the very top, they haven’t got the top goalscorers in the league, which tells you they share them out all over the pitch,” he said.
“That’s a strength of theirs. If Fulham weren’t so reliant on (Aleksander) Mitrovic, perhaps they would be right in the mix with the two teams at the top.”