Kylian Mbappe praises Brighton's Evan Ferguson ahead of Ireland vs France

Evan Ferguson in action for Ireland against Latvia in March 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe says he and his team-mates have been shown video footage of Brighton's Evan Ferguson ahead of France's Euro 2024 qualifier against Ireland on Monday.

Ferguson has scored seven goals for Brighton this season and the 18-year-old netted on his debut for Ireland against Latvia last week.

"We saw some clips of him, he’s a good striker and an important player," Mbappe said on Sunday.

"It's his first season as a striker, an important striker for their team. But we hope tomorrow that it is not good for him and we will win.

"We want to do a good job but he is a good player."

France coach Didier Deschamps also spoke about Ferguson and cited Ireland's 'new generation' of players ahead of Monday's match.

"There is a new Ireland generation now with new players," he said.

"Ferguson poses a threat, [he's] a good player. [Mikey] Johnston as well has joined the team. It is a mix of young and experienced players. Ireland are known for being direct and vertical in how they play but from what I’ve seen in recent games they are capable of playing the ball along the ground as well."

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Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is Weekend Editor for FourFourTwo. A European football writer with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa América - and has spent much of that time in Spain. He currently divides his time between Barcelona and London.