Kylian Mbappe has praised young Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson ahead of France’s Euro 2024 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.
France go into the contest as heavy favourites having recently came within a penalty shootout of retaining the FIFA World Cup in December, while Ireland failed to qualify for the tournament at all.
Les Bleus kick-started their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with a victory last week, seeing off the Netherlands with relative ease. Goals from Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamecano and a brace from Kylian Mbappe secured the convincing 4-0 win.
That game was Mbappe’s first as France captain and, ahead of his second, the PSG star was asked about opposition striker Evan Ferguson.
The Irish youngster has burst onto the scene in recent months, becoming a regular at Brighton in the Premier League and marking his first Ireland cap with a goal in the win over Latvia on Wednesday.
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“He’s a good striker, an important striker for that team,” said Mbappe ahead of the clash. We’ve seen some clips about him, of course.
“But we hope tomorrow he’s going to do nothing and that means we are going to win and we’re going to do our job. But he is a good player.”
90min understands that Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Napoli, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle are all keeping a close eye on Ferguson’s progress this year.
Bayern were among a number of clubs who sent scouts to attend the 18-year-old’s Ireland debut last Wednesday.
The player himself, despite the interest from Europe’s top clubs, is in no rush to leave the Amex Stadium and is set to be offered a new contract at Brighton.
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