Nathan Patterson still has plenty of developing to do before he can call himself a “bona fide” Premier League player.
That’s according to new Toffees boss Sean Dyche, who has preferred veteran Seamus Coleman at right-back over the former Rangers kid, who has struggled for game time and seen Aaron Hickey take his right back spot in Steve Clarke’s Scotland side. Patterson only recovered from a knee injury in January, but Dyche admits he and former Manchester United youngster James Garner are still learning on the job as the Goodison Park club battle to preserve their top flight status.
It’s a steep learning curve, but Dyche was keen to point out that their age must be taken into account when assessing displays in the blue shirt. However, more game time will be required if Patterson is to fulfil his potential on Merseyside. He’s played just 35 minutes of football over Everton's last two matches.
Dyche said: “Obviously at the minute it’s going to be a fast-track learning but there are a few players out there – Patto is a young player still, you forget that – they’re developing players, they’re not rounded Premier League bona fide players, they’ve got to develop and learn about that. Again, these are tough times for them to learn through but that’s the challenge.”
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