Jounalist exposed the reasons Why Chelsea decided not to sign Evan Ferguson in January transfer window despite speaking to his agents
By Chelsea’s usual high-spending standards, the 2025 January transfer window was surprisingly uneventful. While some notable departures occurred on deadline day, including Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Axel Disasi, the club did not bring in any new signings before the window slammed shut.
Despite this inactivity, Chelsea was linked with several potential reinforcements, one of the most intriguing being Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson. However, the young Irish striker ultimately joined West Ham United on loan, leaving Chelsea without a new addition to their forward line.
Why Chelsea Didn’t Sign Evan Ferguson
Chelsea had shown interest in bringing Ferguson to Stamford Bridge, but the deal fell apart due to differences in transfer terms. West Ham secured the striker on a dry loan—meaning no option or obligation to buy at the end of the season. Chelsea, on the other hand, wanted a loan deal that included a purchase clause, ensuring they could sign him permanently if he impressed.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, writing on his Si Phillips Talks Chelsea Substack, the Blues did engage in discussions with Ferguson’s representatives. However, they ultimately cooled their interest when they realized Brighton had no intention of including a buy option. Chelsea saw little value in developing a rival club’s player for just a few months with no long-term gain.
This decision leaves Enzo Maresca with the same attacking options for the rest of the season: Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, and Marc Guiu. On paper, this trio should be sufficient, but concerns remain—particularly about Jackson’s form.
Jackson’s Struggles Up Front
Chelsea’s reluctance to sign Ferguson means Nicolas Jackson remains the main centre-forward. However, the Senegalese striker is enduring a tough spell in front of goal. His failure to score in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory against West Ham on Monday extended his goal drought to eight Premier League matches.
For Jackson, the end of the transfer window comes as a relief. With no new striker arriving, he retains his place as Chelsea’s first-choice No. 9, avoiding direct competition from a potential signing like Ferguson. However, if his struggles continue, Maresca may be forced to explore other options—either experimenting with Christopher Nkunku as a false nine or handing more opportunities to Marc Guiu.
Would Ferguson Have Been a Good Signing for Chelsea?
In the grand scheme of things, Chelsea may not have needed Evan Ferguson this season. While the 19-year-old has shown promise, his 2024/25 campaign has been underwhelming. In 15 league appearances, he has managed just one goal—a disappointing return for a player once considered one of the Premier League’s brightest young forwards.
Meanwhile, Chelsea already has a teenage striker in Marc Guiu, who is enjoying a significantly better season than Ferguson. The Barcelona academy graduate has scored six goals in 13 games this season, proving himself as a more clinical option.
Given these numbers, Chelsea’s decision to pass on Ferguson makes sense. Rather than investing time in developing a Brighton-owned player, the club is better off focusing on its own young talents—especially when one of them is already outperforming Ferguson.
What’s Next for Chelsea’s Attack?
With the transfer window now closed, Chelsea must make do with their current forward line until the summer. Nkunku’s return from injury should provide an attacking boost, and Guiu’s emergence offers another exciting option. However, the pressure is on Jackson to rediscover his scoring touch if Chelsea wants to finish the season strongly.
As for Ferguson, he now has a fresh start at West Ham, where he’ll be looking to revive his form and prove that he’s still one of the most promising young strikers in England. Whether Chelsea reconsiders a move for him in the summer remains to be seen, but for now, Maresca seems content with the squad he has.
