Patterson has ‘big future’ at Everton after Ferguson decision – pundit
Nathan Patterson’s Everton future is secure despite the sacking of Rafael Benitez.
That’s according to former West Ham hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the youngster’s prospects.
Patterson, 20, is yet to make a senior appearance for Everton since his move from Rangers earlier this month.
Since the defender signed, Everton are now looking for a new manager after Benitez was sacked on 16 January.
Patterson didn’t even make the bench for Duncan Ferguson’s first game as caretaker boss.
However, McAvennie insists the defender’s future is safe as whoever replaces Benitez will immediately see his quality.
“New managers do bring their own guys in and move players on, I get that,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“But I’ve seen enough of Patterson to know he’s a quality player. He has a big future at Everton.
“So that won’t happen. Whoever the new guy is will take one look and see how good he is.
“I remember when James McArthur and James McCarthy came down to Wigan from Hamilton and no one saw them for three or four months.
“Then as soon as they came in you could see they had gone from boys to men.
“They were bigger and stronger. I think Patterson just needs some conditioning to make sure he’s ready for the Premier League, that’s all.”
Rangers announced Patterson, 20, had joined Everton for a club-record fee on Tuesday 4 January.
As revealed by Football Insider (4 January), the right-back has signed a £28,000-a-week contract at Goodison Park.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Everton have taken an FFP ‘hit’ after £49million Benitez report.