Blackpool manager Michael Appleton has been quoted by the Evening Standard as raving about on-loan Arsenal talent Charlie Patino – after the teenager’s performance for Blackpool in a 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Tuesday night.
Patino, 18, has endured a bit of a stop-start campaign so far. Joining Blackpool on loan for the 2022-23 Championship campaign, the England Under-20 international has started just four of his loan side’s 11 league games this season.
The first two came off the bench, before starting against QPR. But he was subbed off at half-time, and then missed the next four through injury. He returned as a sub against Rotherham, and has since started the next three league games.
On Tuesday night, he was excellent against Sunderland. WhoScored report Patino boasted his side’s best passing stats, completing 42 of 49. A key pass, a block, and an interception. He was everywhere, earning Appleton’s praise.
“He is 18 years old, he can deal with the ball in any area of the pitch, go past people,” Appleton said. “He’s as good as anyone I’ve seen dealing with the ball. He can play as a six, as a ten and as an eight. Got a really, really good future.
“He was outstanding, especially in that second half. He controlled the game, it was his game, he played at his tempo when he wanted to speed it up he did, when he wanted to slow it he did, when he went to switch the play he did.”
Appleton raves about on-loan Arsenal talent Patino after Tuesday night
Patino is a real, real talent. A player that has already broken into Arsenal’s first team and even scored in one of his two senior outings. Still only 18, his 21 appearances for the club’s Under-21 side is seriously impressive given his age.
He has a really big future at Arsenal. The path into the senior side in terms of central midfield, gives him a big chance. If Patino is to get to that level, he needs to remain injury free. That, and continue to start games for Blackpool.
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