THE CHRONIC TRUTH: WHY EVAN FERGUSON’S ANKLE ISSUES ARE NOW CLASSIFIED AS "CHRONIC."
Evan Ferguson's injury has been labelled chronic. Discover why the Roma star is set to miss Ireland's World Cup playoff in Prague.
It’s been 27 days since Evan Ferguson last set foot on the pitch for Roma, and honestly, we still don’t know much about how the Irish striker is doing.
He picked up another ankle problem just a few days after sitting through Roma’s home draw with AC Milan, watching the full 90 minutes from the bench. Tough luck, really; his ankles just keep letting him down. It’s been a recurring theme for Ferguson, especially early in his career. He already missed time earlier this season with a similar injury, which kept him out of Ireland’s big November qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary.
People have talked a lot about his rocky relationship with club manager Gian Piero Gasperini. It’s no secret that things haven’t always been smooth between them.
Earlier this month, Gasperini didn’t hide his frustration about Ferguson’s ankle troubles. He even said the 21-year-old felt “depressed” about it all. “Whenever he’s been available, he’s always played, but that’s part of the problem for this player,” Gasperini remarked, not exactly reassuring.
Now, with Ireland’s World Cup playoff against Czechia coming up fast, everyone’s watching Ferguson’s recovery, and the latest news from Italy isn’t good.
This week, both Giallorossi.net and Il Messaggero reported that Ferguson’s ankle issues have become "chronic". There’s no timeline for his return. Apparently, he’s suffered another setback and is still dealing with pain, so Roma’s medical team has to handle him very carefully.
Even worse, these reports suggest there’s no guarantee Ferguson can play any role “in the coming months” as Roma push for a Champions League spot. If that’s true, he’s almost certain to miss the playoff semi-final in Prague, and maybe even the final, if Ireland makes it that far. If things don’t improve, there’s a real chance he misses the World Cup altogether, even if Ireland qualifies.
Behind the scenes, it sounds like people at Roma are getting frustrated, too. For Irish fans, it’s tough to watch Ferguson’s time in Rome stall like this. He just hasn’t had a chance to really make an impact since joining the club.
Sure, Troy Parrott is in great form and should lead the line in Prague, but you know Heimir Hallgrímsson would much rather have Ferguson available for such an important game.
NAPOLI AND INTER MILAN LAUNCH BIDDING WAR FOR COMO STAR MAXIMO PERRONE
Maximo Perrone is the target of a €50m bidding war between Napoli and Inter after leading Como to fourth in Serie A.
Maximo Perrone has emerged as a standout performer this season for Como, attracting considerable attention from top clubs. Como, having established themselves among Italy’s football elite and eyeing a spot in the Champions League, rely heavily on Perrone’s creativity and influence. Once a lesser-known figure, the former Manchester City midfielder has become a central figure in Fabregas’s team, and now several major clubs are lining up for his signature. This summer promises a competitive battle, with Inter and Napoli showing serious interest. But Como, bolstered by their impending European campaign, is unlikely to let him go without a fight.
Looking closer at the interest from Italy’s giants, journalist Matteo Moretto recently shared insights on YouTube, highlighting Inter and Napoli as the two main contenders. Inter have praised Perrone and clearly rate him, although they haven’t yet approached his representatives directly. Napoli, on the other hand, seems more proactive. They have monitored Perrone for some time and view him as a realistic addition, especially following a specific request from coach Conte. Conte, who has indicated his intention to stay with Napoli but will discuss plans at season’s end, sees Perrone as a key piece, particularly if Stanislav Lobotka departs next summer. Even if Lobotka stays, Perrone’s arrival remains a possibility.
Despite growing interest, Como holds the cards here. They are financially stable and preparing to embark on their first European adventure, whether that’s in the Champions League or the Europa League is still unclear. After taking Perrone on loan from Manchester City, Como acquired his rights last summer, though City retained 30 per cent of any future resale. This project around Lake Como is in its early stages, making the idea of selling such a vital player complicated. The club’s willingness to sell, the price set, and the offers they receive will all shape what happens next.
Perrone, under contract until 2029, is in the best form of his young career. At 23, he’s featured in 31 games this season, contributing two goals and four assists, consistently anchoring the midfield in Fabregas’s tactical setup, a system the Argentine shapes with deliberate control. It’s this partnership that the transfer market will undoubtedly try to disrupt in the coming months.
CESC FABREGAS BLASTS GASPERINI OVER HANDSHAKE SNUB FOLLOWING COMO’S VICTORY OVER ROMA
Cesc Fabregas blasts Gian Piero Gasperini for refusing a handshake after Como defeated Roma 2-1 to reach fourth place.
This past weekend saw a tense moment between Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder turned Como manager, and Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini following Como’s 2-1 win over Roma. Fabregas, who took charge of Como in July 2024 and has quickly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s promising young managers, has led the team to fourth place in Serie A, pushing them toward a surprising shot at Champions League qualification, a milestone in the club’s history.
The victory itself was key for Como’s ambitions, but the post-match atmosphere was anything but smooth. Fabregas shared his frustration about Gasperini refusing to shake his hand at the final whistle. For Fabregas, the handshake is a simple but important gesture of respect and sportsmanship, regardless of emotions or results. He said, “Whether I’m angry, sent off, or feel the referee has wronged me, I always go to shake my opponent’s hand after the match." It’s about respect, and I was disappointed by what happened. Even when you lose, you always offer that hand.”
Fabregas explained that while he understands different cultures approach these things differently, for him, once the game is over, competition ends, and respect should remain. Gasperini, known for his stints with Inter Milan and Atalanta, didn’t shy away from explaining his side. The 68-year-old was critical of Como’s conduct both on and off the pitch, saying, “Como is a strong team, but I don’t respect their behaviour on the pitch or on the bench.”
Part of the tension seemed to spark after Roma’s defender Wesley, got sent off just after the 60-minute mark, receiving a second yellow card. Gasperini implied that Fabregas and his staff had influenced the referee’s decision by pushing claims of simulation. This disagreement added fuel to the post-match exchange, highlighting the competitive edge and complex dynamics between these two managers as they vie for top spots in Serie A.
