Everton defender Nathan Patterson has been in and out of the lineup thus far this season, but with Vitaly Mykolenko perhaps questionable for the game against Luton Town, Patterson may get the chance to stake a claim for a regular spot.
The Ukrainian full-back will have his condition evaluated before Everton’s match against Luton Town at Goodison Park on Saturday (30 September), according to BBC Sport (29 September). According to The Athletic (28 September), the full-back is questionable after picking up a knock in the 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Aston Villa.
According to the broadcaster’s report from the 29th of September, the Ukrainian might still be in the team despite being taken out at halftime, which could cause Dyche to make adjustments at fullback with Patterson switching back to his regular right-back position.
Dyche prefers Mykolenko and Young at left-back and right-back, respectively, making it difficult for the Scotland international to start recent matches. This has sparked several claims that Dyche no longer believes in the former Rangers defender.
Former Daily Star journalist Brown expressed his concerns about the Toffees’ full-back possibilities to GIVEMESPORT on September 19; he singled out Patterson as having weak defensive skills while Young and Mykolenko were “exposed” against in Everton’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal.
Brown expressed his concern over Everton’s full-back alternatives. None of them, in my opinion, appear excellent. It is obvious that Sean Dyche does not trust Patterson to play defence. Ashley Young and Mykolenko, in my opinion, did not perform well against Arsenal; they both seemed to be overexposed.
“I’m not entirely clear what choices he has. I believe the full-back area is a significant area of concern for Everton. He will have to try and get game out of them, and it will take some coaching and maybe a change to the way the squad is set up and plays.
Although Patterson has occasionally struggled defensively, he is still only 21 and has a long way to go before he matures into the star that has been predicted of him ever since his time at Ibrox.
However, the Glasgow-born full-back unquestionably offers an intensity and aggression that Everton supporters love and have perhaps always required over the years whenever he steps onto the pitch at Goodison Park.
Although the seasoned Young has proven to be a very reasonable and reliable presence for Dyche, recent performances indicate that he may not be the long-term answer.
The former Manchester United full-back only won one of his ground duels against Arsenal, completed just 56% of his passes, had 34 touches, lost possession 12 times, failed to complete a single cross, dribbled past once, and made just one tackle. He was unable to lead his team to a competent and solid performance, much less an unlikely victory.
Soon enough, the Everton manager will need to gradually introduce the Goodison Park sensation into the first team.
Patterson must soon receive the same opportunities that James Garner is currently enjoying with the first team; his youthful zeal and developing talent are what Dyche and the team need to eventually herald in a new era on the blue half of Merseyside.
And starting on Saturday, September 30, against Luton Town, that intriguing new hypothesis needs to be put to the test.
Having been targeted by the Toffees this summer, Kelechi Iheanacho has spoken out for the first time in other Everton news.
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