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Since being benched at Everton, honest Nathan Patterson has acknowledged that he is going through the most trying time of his career.
However, the Scotland international is no stranger to the scene, having had to fight his way nearly immediately after joining the English Premier League from Rangers in order to establish himself in the first squad at Goodison Park. When the 22-year-old joined Everton for £11 million plus add-ons in January 2022 under then-boss Rafa Benitez, he was the Light Blues record sale at the time.
Following Patterson’s arrival from Ibrox, the Spaniard was practically immediately shown the door, allowing the right-back to compete for playing time under Frank Lampard. The Scottish player looked to be finally finding his best form under Sean Dyche this season after a string of ailments and rumors that he would be sent out on loan. Up until the match against Fulham on January 30, he had made 25 appearances.
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But it seems like that was a turning point in Patterson’s Everton career. At Crave Cottage, he played just nine minutes off the bench and has not appeared in any games since.
Seamus Coleman is once again the starting right-back of choice. In recent weeks, Coleman has been covered by Ashley Young and Ben Godfrey, a natural center-back, while Patterson has been on the bench.
Despite having trouble getting into the game, he has been included in Steve Clarke’s plans for Euro 2024. However, in the 1-0 friendly loss at Hampden, he made a critical mistake that allowed Northern Ireland to score. Prior to the competition, Clarke maintains that he will support the defender; nonetheless, Patterson has acknowledged that he is going through a difficult time.
When Viaplay asked him if this was the hardest time in his career, he responded, “You might say that. Of course, I am not playing as often as I would like to, but I am not the kind of person to give up easily, and sometimes that is simply the nature of football.
“I will keep training hard and working hard and try and make sure I give myself the best opportunity to get game time.”I had never gone to camp before, so the previous Euros were new to me. I was merely eager to process everything, and I have done so.
“I am excited about it again this time because I think I have grown as a player and a person. I am hoping to play more games and that we can get through the group so that this time will be better than the past.”
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