Evan Ferguson should learn from Robbie Keane and put his development ahead of money this summer.
The Irish teenager is likely to be tempted by advances from some top sides, despite his recent signing of a new long-term deal at Brighton.
However, Tony Cascarino reckons he should stay put and continue his development at Brighton - and resist the bright lights and big bucks elsewhere.
READ MORE: Brighton's Irish contingent helped sell League of Ireland move to English defender
Cascarino recalled how he quizzed Keane on his move from Coventry to Inter Milan in 2000, a switch that temporarily stalled his development after an impressive spell with the Sky Blues.
“I always say to Robbie Keane, why the hell did you go to Inter Milan at 19,” Cascarino said.
“Robbie’s reply wasn’t a very good one in my opinion, and I like Robbie, but it was money based.
“I don’t think he should have done that move at 19. It was a big change.”
Former Ireland striker Cascarino is convinced that Ferguson will face a similar dilemma - but that his development would be best served by staying at the Seagulls for now.
“One thing is for sure in football, if you play well, someone will reward you with a lot of money, people will chuck money at you, they just will,” he said.
“It’s the market, so you’re going to get the money, just don’t be too hungry, make sure the football is doing the talking.
“I think there are players who think, that’s a big new deal, sign that, go to a club and then end up being in and out of the team, and they go backwards.
“Short-term it can be good for them financially, long-term it can be a really bad one.”
Cascarino - who lined out for Millwall, Celtic, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Marseille, among others - believes Roberto De Zerbi is the man to get the best out of the 18-year-old.
Ferguson has already scored eight goals in 20 appearances - many of them as a substitute - in his breakthrough season.
“He signed a long contract. I couldn’t think of a better club for him to be at,” said the 60-year-old.
“The manager plays very attack minded football, he’ll get more chances to score goals.”
Cascarino added: “The vultures are hanging over all clubs, people are looking.
“He’s done well. The one danger that can happen and this is one thing he has to be conscious of is you don’t want to be the player that a club looks at and thinks, ‘We’ll take you, but we’re not going to really play you’.
You’ve got to be careful. There is a downside to that type of player who gets a move to Tottneham and ends up not playing, and ends up being in and out of the team.
“For him, it’s about playing regularly. He’s got to do that at Brighton first, but the thing is a lot of Brighton players are going to be hunted down like a lot of Brentford players are.
“I’ve heard stories that clubs are going after them. They can only sell so many. He’s at the right place.”
Ireland boss Stephen Kenny shouldn’t be shy either when it comes to playing Ferguson.
Ferguson scored his first senior international goal in the March friendly win over Latvia, his first start and third cap.
And he caught the eye again five days later against France, as Ireland kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a narrow defeat to the World Cup finalists.
“Two years ago, I’d have gone, we’ve got a real problem in the forward areas, which we’ve all talked about, I’m sure. Even a year ago,” said Cascarino.
“We are a year on and I’m looking forward to Ferguson playing. Get him in.
“Stephen will, I think Stephen Kenny will have to use him.
“International football is easier than club football in the top-flight, because 80 percent of the time you are playing against fellas who aren’t that good.
“It’s only when you get to tournaments and the final stages that you are playing against the very elite, generally.
“Look at the groups and most of the teams aren’t good. So make sure he gets games and goals.”
As for Ferguson’s traits, Cascarino said: “He’s got the hold up play of Quinny (Niall Quinn), but he’s more than what me and Quinny were.
“He’ll run the channels, the goal he got with the flick (against Bournemouth), that bit of technique, it was a player who really can do a lot more.
“I think he’s too soon to say he’s really like a top player.
“At 18 years old, blimey, I just think he’s got so much for Irish fans to look forward to seeing playing regularly.
“Once he gets going and scores goals, I think he will be hard to stop.
“The biggest challenge for him is when he’ll get his head turned if clubs at the very highest level start coming after him.
“But if he does what I think he’ll do, big clubs will come after him as we’re going down a big centre forwards route.”
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