Roberto De Zerbi has said that striker Evan Ferguson’s difficult run of form this season is something that can happen to all young players.
The Republic of Ireland international has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign following an ankle injury, having scored six goals in 27 Premier League appearances.
“We have to make a difference between injuries and the way of his career,” De Zerbi explained.
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“The injuries you can’t control. The journey in terms of progressing is different. You have to accept that a player so young, just 19, can spend a very good moment, scoring goals, and then have a different, opposite, moment. A tough moment, especially a striker.
“Sometimes as a striker you can score two goals a game. Then suddenly you are not able to score even with your hand. But this is football, and for young players it can happen. They can play one season great and the next season not so good.”
De Zerbi says the 19-year-old has a bright future with Albion.
“We have to analyse the injuries now and then we can organise and make a plan for the future. For sure he is the future of Brighton, like [Julio] Enciso."
Evan is one of nine first-team players who are unavailable to face Manchester City on Thursday.
“This season has been very tough especially after January. We are suffering too many injuries to key players," he added.
“But the season isn’t finished. I wanted to compete in a different way in the last three months but we have to accept [what has happened]. Next season we will have more experience because we have had this tough period.”