The rise of Lewis Ferguson at Bologna proves the Scotland international can compete with the best in Serie A, but Stephen Kasiewicz also argues that the midfielder’s transfer to the Stadio Dall’Ara highlights an ‘unlikely’ transfer trend for Italian clubs.
From an inauspicious beginning, Lewis Ferguson has flourished to become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Serie A.
The 23-year-old Scot missed the start of the campaign due to a suspension carried over from his time at Aberdeen and struggled to establish himself at Bologna. Yet the appointment of Thiago Motta drastically transformed his fortunes.
After an early period of transition, the son of former Rangers and Hearts midfielder Derek Ferguson struck back-to-back goals against Lecce and Monza in October 2022. A goal-of-the-season contender at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara against Sassuolo a month later only further underlined the capabilities of the multifaceted midfielder.
His curling right-foot shot from the edge of the box which clipped the bar on the way into the top corner was replayed countless times. There have been few better in terms of quality and technique in Serie A this term.
Ferguson gained many admirers as the visual impact of the strike resonated. He has become a dependable mainstay in a Rossoblu side which has solidly kept its place in the mid-table, just behind the European contenders.
A perfectly timed glancing header in Bologna’s 2-2 stalemate at Salernitana before the international break again showed his goalscoring prowess. It has already been a noteworthy first campaign for the Scot who has adjusted to the tactical and physical demands of Italian football impressively.
His high-calibre performances have not gone unnoticed. Milan, Juventus, and Lazio have all been mentioned as potential suitors for a midfielder who joined Bologna for €3.5m from the Dons last summer. The Rossoblu could easily demand at least double the fee they paid for the Scotland international.
However, there doesn’t seem to be any urgent desire to cash in on the midfielder just yet. If the excellent recent Scottish Football Association documentary Forza Scozia is any indication Ferguson could follow compatriot Aaron Hickey in spending at least another season with the Rossoblu.
It’s clear he has embraced everything about life in Italy, from living in the architecturally stunning Red city to playing at the cavernous football theatre of the San Siro and emerging unscathed from a confrontation with infuriated ultras at the club’s training ground after poor early results.
He’s now become a firm fan favourite with the Bologna Tifosi as part of a small cluster of Scots in Serie A.
Well-travelled Empoli midfielder Liam Henderson and full-back Hickey – who helped convince Ferguson of a move to Italy before leaving Bologna for Brentford – have altered perceptions about the supposed limitations of players from a small but football-obsessed nation of just 5.5 million people.
Josh Doig has also made significant strides on the left flank at Hellas Verona despite the club’s precarious league position.
Increased financial constraints have forced Italian clubs to seek value in previously unexplored markets. The Scottish Premiership has become an unlikely focal point for Serie A scouts that can’t afford to fritter money away. Maybe the league is not quite as bad as an uninformed but vocal minority thinks.
Ferguson, who was a late substitute for Scotland as they stunned Spain in European championship qualifiers this week, has proven he can compete with the best men in the middle in one of the continent’s most demanding leagues. There is enough evidence to suggest he can raise his game to new levels and ascend to the upper echelons of Serie A in the near future.
@SKasiewicz