Brighton is hoping that Evan Ferguson will go to Aston Villa.
The 18-year-old was absent when the Seagulls were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Chelsea on Wednesday following a 1-0 loss there. He had been substituted at halftime during last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, his first game back after sickness.
De Zerbi did not exclude Ferguson, who has four goals this season, from the journey to the Midlands in his post-match remarks at Stamford Bridge.
“I hope Evan can be available to play,” he remarked in reference to Villa. Although he is still sick, I believe he will be ready in a week.
De Zerbi also described how he had taken out Ansu Fati, a loanee from Barcelona, around the halfway mark of Wednesday’s cup game to keep Villa as fresh as possible. Since joining the Seagulls in the closing days of the transfer window, the 20-year-old has participated in all four games, although he has only played all 90 minutes once.
De Zerbi stated, “I chatted with him before the game. “Since Ansu played 45 minutes against Bournemouth on Sunday.
“Now, because Ansu didn’t play as many games during the previous era (with Barcelona), when I select the starting XI, I remain in the office with my staff and the medical staff. He and I would be taking a major risk if I played him for 90 minutes straight.
“After the game, I spoke with him and told him he could play only 45 minutes to be in good condition for Saturday because we have another big game on Saturday,”
With a victory tomorrow against Villa, Brighton will draw even with the league’s top-scoring Manchester City, at least for a little while.
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