Former Rangers defender Nathan Patterson finally made his Everton debut in the FA Cup on Thursday evening in a 2-0 victory over Boreham Wood, although it didn’t exactly go to plan.
The defender was given his chance against the lower league opposition and played slightly further forward than he was used to, but he was lively in the first half as Everton couldn’t breach the Boreham Wood defence.
Frank Lampard decided to make a change and the Scot was sacrificed for Richarlison at halftime in what was an odd decision and one that he could feel very harshly done by.
Nathan Patterson makes Everton debut in FA Cup victory
Everton bought the 20-year-old in the January transfer window for a reported fee of £16m, with a £12m initial fee and £4m in add-ons which make it the biggest fee ever received by Rangers.
Although the player has excellent potential, it was a deal too good to turn down by the club, especially with the notion that captain James Tavernier will still hold down a regular spot at right-back and chances would be limited for Patterson.
Rafa Benitez was the manager that signed him for the Merseyside outfit, but he was sacked and replaced by Lampard in January, with many thinking Patterson would benefit from this change due to the former Chelsea manager’s reputation for bedding in youth talent in the first team squad.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t exactly gone to plan so far, despite starting against the non-league side, he will be frustrated at being hooked at the interval.
Hopefully, he can kick on and command a regular spot in the starting XI as there is no doubt his potential merits it