Blackpool boss Michael Appleton has praised Arsenal talent Charlie Patino and believes he has a 'big future' ahead of him at the Emirates Stadium.
The talented midfielder suffered an injury setback at the start of the season but has now returned to the first team and wasted no time in showing his ability. Patino made an immediate impact in his first cameo of the season after signing on a season-long loan deal from the Gunners, with Blackpool fans creating a song for the Gunners loanee, with Appleton also full of praise for the youngster.
"He takes yards off people sometimes with his ability to get away from people," said Appleton following Patino's debut for the Tangerines. "I thought he was great, I thought he showed a calmness. He showed an old head on very, very young shoulders and I enjoyed watching him. I think the Blackpool fans over the coming season are going to enjoy watching him."
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Patino scored and assisted in the Derby Day 4-2 win against Preston on Saturday afternoon, picking up the man of the match award for his impressive performance. After the game, Appleton once again lauded the 19-year-old as he continues to impress out on loan.
Speaking to talkSPORT2, the Blackpool boss said: "He's a lad who, for his age, is very, very mature. I think he's capable of playing numerous positions in that midfield area.
"We've used him as a six, an eight, even as a number 10 at times. He deals with it, he copes with it, he's got an understanding of the game beyond his years.
"He can deal with the ball and move it, he's got a big future ahead of him. I think people were a little bit worried or concerned whether he could cope at this level at such a young age but I think he's proved he's more than capable of doing it."
Appleton highlighted Patino's versatility which could prove to be a huge asset to Mikel Arteta who likes to rotate his players and has shown he relies on versatility at times, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko all playing in multiple positions. The Blackpool manager is clearly happy to have the youngster in his team this season and will be hoping he can keep hold of him until the end of the season with Arsenal set to make a decision as to whether to recall Patino or leave him to continue developing with the Championship outfit throughout the full 2022/23 campaign.
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