Liverpool legend Danny Murphy admits he’s been ‘absolutely blown away’ by Nathan Patterson following a superb start to the Premier League season for the Everton defender, speaking to talkSPORT (28 September, 11.20am).
There has been a lot focus, in recent weeks, placed on Jose Mourinho’s gushing praise of Diego Dalot from a few seasons back. Manchester United, he said, had found a right-back for the next ten years in the former Porto starlet.
And with Dalot going from strength to strength under Erik Ten Hag, Mourinho’s prediction is starting to look more and more accurate with every game that goes by.
Everton have had problems of their own on the right-hand side of late. Not even the ever-industrious Seamus Coleman can defy the ageing process forever, and The Toffees were finding it difficult securing an adequate, long-term replacement.
Well, until Patterson arrived from Rangers eight months ago that is.
Nathan Patterson has been one of Everton’s best players this season
“He’s been terrific. I’ve been absolutely blown away by him, honestly,” Murphy says of the baby-faced Scot, one of 2022/23’s breakthrough stars thus far.
“Looks a real talent. Really good athlete. A nice passer of the ball, goes forward at will and doesn’t mind defending one-on-one. He’s got that tenacity and passion that the Everton fans love.
“He is a super talent.”
Patterson’s excellent run of form will be disrupted, however, by a knee injury he picked up during Scotland’s 0-0 UEFA Nations League draw with Ukraine on Tuesday night. An injury that could keep the 20-year-old out until early November.
“Five weeks (out), in the bigger scheme of things, is not bad. He’ll be right as rain,” Murphy adds.
“When he first did it, you looked at it and thought it could be even longer. So it’s not too bad. Everton will miss him, that’s for sure. But good luck to him.”
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