Fan Article Nathan Patterson: Keep, Loan or Sell? The Glaswegian has played under 4 different permanent managers and is yet to make his anticipated impact on the Toffees. Billy Birmingham 11/07/2025 57comments | Jump to last Nathan Patterson joined Everton from Glasgow Rangers at an unbearable time for the club. The ill-fated Rafael Benítez made the right-back his second signing of the January 2022 transfer window, 3 days after the successful signing of Vitalii Mykolenko. Whilst both signings brought hope for the Blues, only the latter has emerged as a first-team starter, 3½ years on. In that lengthy period, Patterson has made just 49 Premier League appearances, with 23 of these as a substitute. Although a string of injuries has sidelined the ex-Rangers man for around one-third of his Everton career, the notion that he simply hasn’t been selected due to disappointing performances for the remainder of his Everton career is evidently reasonable. Notably, Sean Dyche was clearly not an admirer; however, it is difficult to judge how current manager David Moyes sees Patterson’s future at Everton. One of the right-back's key attributes is generally thought to be his crossing ability, which he was renowned for during his time at Rangers, yet Evertonians have merely seen diminutive glimpses of this. A simple 10-yard pass to tee up the dynamic Dwight McNeil for a twisting scorcher against Ipswich Town was his sole assist last season. In contrast, free agent Kyle Walker-Peters recorded 2 fine assists in an abysmal Southampton side last campaign and has appeared as a viable solution to Everton’s chronic right-back issues. If Everton do capture frequent target Walker-Peters, or a player of his level to fill the role, that would leave Patterson in an awkward situation. Does he remain as a somewhat inconsistent back-up, alongside veteran Seamus Coleman, with his playing time reduced at the age of 23? Or would a loan move to a high-level Championship club suffice for his missed minutes due to injury? Both options will likely depend on the Scot’s performance over the course of pre-season. Some supporters may suggest a permanent move would be beneficial for both Patterson and the club, yet for me, it not only seems illogical to list the 23-year-old – who perhaps still has a couple of years to realise his full potential – but also unlikely that there will be any concrete interest in the right-back from other clubs. In addition, the £16M fee Everton paid for him would only be partially generated back, given his awful injury record at such a young age. It is incredibly easy to forget that Patterson has been contracted at Everton for over 3 years, but it seems that now is the time for him to step up and find his feet – whether that is at the Hill Dickinson Stadium or elsewhere. Whilst his future will be divisively debated, all Evertonians can agree that Patterson must play more football to become a first-team starter for the Blues. Reader Comments (57) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Andrew Ellams 1 Posted 11/07/2025 at 13:30:28 Keep due to lack of cover but for that reason only. Michael Kenrick 2 Posted 11/07/2025 at 13:36:58 Good article, Billy. Nathan Patterson had been going below the radar but those eagle eyes at The Echo. Here's what Joe Thomas says:Nathan Patterson is one of a handful of players who, even in a small squad, face a summer in which they have work to do to convince the Everton hierarchy to give them a serious role in the upcoming season. The right-back has been plagued by injury since joining from Rangers in 2022 and had to watch from the sidelines as the likes of Jake O'Brien and Ashley Young shared duties during much of the second half of the campaign.The longer the club goes without bringing in a new option, the more time Patterson, still only 23, has to convince his superiors he deserves a chance. Unlike last summer, Patterson is fit for pre-season and, like Beto, could be heard receiving praise for his work in the one-v-one drills as he fought off the advances of Isaac Heath.I must admit personally I quite like watching him. But I'm an unashamed advocate of attacking football and like watching players who go forward and look to deliver the ball with intent. That's why I liked Dixon too… and Nkounkou before him. But apparently the smart money says they don't do enough defending… and so that's them done. Even though scoring goals is the name of the game and something we seem to have become increasingly incompetent at. (Yes, a personal word of thanks here for the hugely frustrating efforts of one Dominic Calvert-Lewin over the past 9 years... sorry, I wasn't going to mention him.) Kevin Molloy 3 Posted 11/07/2025 at 13:42:24 sell? Loans is all we'll be offered. Liam Mogan 4 Posted 11/07/2025 at 13:47:58 MK 2 - I've never seen anything in Nathan Patterson's attacking ability which would make up for his defensive deficiencies.He's never scored a goal and he's never provided any reliable delivery from wide areas? If we can replace him then I would. Rick Cole 5 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:05:24 He's had f all opportunity. There is a player in there for sure And we need that player.Give the kid some trust and I think he can be exactly what we need Billy Birmingham 6 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:12:40 Thanks Michael (2), like you, I am a huge fan of attacking-minded fullbacks. However, I'd say Digne was the last fullback for us who actually consistently provided quality crosses into the box for strikers to attack. I'm sure Patterson is a solid crosser of the ball, but we haven't seen this enough to make a clear decision, hence why a loan deal may give us a greater insight into what he can offer going forward. The decision to sell Nkounkou was incredibly poor. I also saw something in him that obviously Everton didn't. Hopefully Dixon can return from the rumoured Stockport loan and emerge as a regular starter. Steve Shave 7 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:14:21 Keep but only because we have no hope of anyone buying him, let's try and get a tune out of him as a back up RB. You never know. Andy Crooks 8 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:19:12 I have a feeling, based on very little, that he is going to be a top player for us. A run of games and a bit of confidence might just change things.To be fair, though, this is the only time of the year when I am mildly optimistic. Dan Parker 9 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:28:19 Keep. He'll get coached properly under Moyes and we need squad depth. Josh Horne 10 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:28:59 I don't believe that Coleman can provide the cover that we will need, I would not have given him another contract. However, I expect O'Brien will always be used as right-back cover ahead of Patterson and that's why Moyes has decided to keep Keane. I don't think Patterson has a future at the club, a loan at least takes him off the wage bill. Jarmo Rahnasto 11 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:30:02 He has the ability to attack but is a very poor defender. He gets beaten on 1 vs 1 situations all the time and cant read the game defensively. Maybe as a winger he could shine like Coleman at the start of his career. Dale Rose 12 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:31:11 Keep, there is a player in there. I'm sure Moyes will bring it out of him. Raymond Fox 13 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:31:13 He is as I have said already is somewhat of a mystery man.He's been injured a lot of the time but managers don't seem to fancy him much.If its a defencesive issue surely it can be corrected, workrate is the easier to point out to the player, positional play can surely be learned.I would imagine they and him have already tried so what do I know. Mark Boullé 14 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:42:27 The only hope I have for him is that Moyes managed to turn a raw, rough diamond that was Seamus Coleman into one of the finest right backs ever to grace Goodison Park. Perhaps he can save Patterson's Everton career... Ian Bennett 15 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:48:51 The lad needs to play 30-40 games. I am not convinced on him, but Leighton Baines also had a tough start to life Everton, heavily linked to Sunderland, and he went on to be brilliant.I am not putting him in that category, but you need 10-15 starts to get your confidence. Look at Obrien, Beto etc. Ryan Holroyd 16 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:50:06 Personally I dont think j hes premier league standard.If he played consistently for us, hed be ranked as the worse starting right back in the premier league. Cant defend, cant cross a ball consistently, slowSELL Ryan Holroyd 17 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:51:56 Baines turned Sunderland down for Everton Christy Ring 18 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:52:16 I reckon Moyes will make a decision during preseason, whether hes good enough for the first team. Hes been here 3 years, so its time to step up or go. His biggest problem in my opinion, is that he loses concentration, and often ball watching,, full back is a position we need to sort out. Im surprised he hasnt given Dixon a chance, he excelled against Spurs last season, in his only first team game. Colin Glassar 19 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:55:10 Sell. Ive seen enough to know hes an SPL player at best. Ian Bennett 20 Posted 11/07/2025 at 14:59:34 He might of Ryan, but he was linked with Sunderland again when he couldn't get into the Everton side.His first season he played 22 EPL games. Danny O'Neill 21 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:04:31 Providing we sign a right back, it would be a sell for me.Then we would have Coleman and Dixon as backup. And obviously O'Brien if necessary with Tarkowski and Branthwaite fit. David Bromwell 22 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:06:09 As I remember we paid a hefty sum for Nathan, even though he was not a regular in Rangers first team. At times he has looked ok to me, at least going forward, but any progress he may have made has been hampered by injuries.Hopefully Moyes can get him playing well in the first team, if not he has been a complete waste of money and should be let go. Ryan Holroyd 23 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:08:39 He was injured Ian. And Lescott was playing well therePlayed 242 games for Everton under David Moyes Anyway Weve done all this previously. Colin Glassar 24 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:16:03 David, maybe the Dyche Slap ruined him? John Keating 25 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:19:09 I mentioned on another thread what I know about PattersonAt Rangers he was a very attack minded full backAnyone who says he cant put good cross in has never seen him.If we can just get him fit a la DCL we really have a player here.Personally, for me, Id look at him wide right, if not more a winger.Compared to our Leeds loaner Patterson is streets ahead Ryan Holroyd 26 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:21:45 He played 27 times for Rangers. Awful player Ian Wilkins 27 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:32:13 Poor acquisition that needs to move on. Several managers have given him chances and he consistently proves he is a naive defender who doesnt learn the basics. Just not sure wed get any money for him. May have to be loan with us paying part of his wages. Poor scouting. Julian Exshaw 28 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:32:15 Keep for now. Allow him time free of injuries, some good coaching and a run in the first team. Then decide. Eric Haworth 29 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:35:22 Both full back positions need a serious upgrade if were to progress. We can debate the merits and/or deficiencies in these two all day long, but neither appears to have a basic football brain, particularly when it comes to defending, which as full backs should be high on their CV, and which youd consider to be a fundamental requirement of a professional footballer, never mind a premier league defender? Neither seems to recognise danger, or take charge and manage/direct the wide player tracking back to support them. Both are forever being caught out of position and on the wrong side of the man theyre meant to be keeping in check, which then adds to the pressure on the CBs and keeper, due to them simply not doing the basics. Dave Abrahams 30 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:47:04 Ive always wanted Patterson to get a decent run in the team- he has never had that, hes good going forward and can definitely put a good cross in he has some deficiencies in defending like OBrien has when he plays, especially at right back.Lets see how he gets on in the next few weeks. Derek Knox 31 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:48:09 This seems to be developing into a 'Marmite thread' although a bit biased, being a Scot, I like Patterson and as a few have mentioned he has never had a decent run. What I have seen of him, both for Scotland and Rangers, and fairly limited for us, his attacking flair is better than his defensive element. However, I think Moyes can help him along in that department. Rob Dolby 32 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:54:36 We don't have a choice really. He has to stay until we get a decent right back.I have seen enough of him to say his defending leaves a lot to be desired.He has been unlucky with injuries which have definitely halted any progress. I don't see a queue of clubs willing to buy him.At times last season I would have started him at right mid to see what he could do as I don't see a future for him at a prem club as a fullback. I rate Garner as a better right back. Jim Bennings 33 Posted 11/07/2025 at 16:10:46 Been here for more than three years and still doesn't look any further down the line than day one.Feel like he's the right back version of Darron Gibson, in that he'll never play more than 4 games on the spin and never play more than 10 games a season.I'd like to say keep and hope for the best but I truly believe he'll never make it with us now sadly. Mike Allison 34 Posted 11/07/2025 at 16:29:11 Sell and loan arent options until weve signed 6-7 more players. So keep.None have us have seen him much, but he doesnt look as bad as the treatment hes received. Its a massive mark against Moyes that he didnt just play Patterson for the last 5 games or so of the season; it would have done him the world of good. Even if we didnt want to keep him it would have raised his transfer value. John Raftery 35 Posted 11/07/2025 at 16:43:18 First and foremost he needs to stay fit. He seems more comfortable as a wing back but up to now hes rarely shown he can make a difference in attacking areas. His only assist was from a low cross converted at the far post by Danjuma at Bramall Lane the season before last. Mike Gaynes 36 Posted 11/07/2025 at 16:57:33 I have no idea why every manager we've had has looked at him and our right back vacancy and said... no thanks. But they have, and there has to be a reason.Mark #14, agreed. If there's anybody who can save his career, it's Professor Moyes -- who not only turned a headless young Coleman into a star but just this year created a very solid young right back of an unused center back named Jake.Billy #6, strongly disagree on Nkounkou. He couldn't play defense. Four subsequent clubs tried him at left back and passed. He is now a reserve left midfielder at Eintracht Frankfurt, who are trying to offload him. Played less than a thousand minutes in all competitions last season, less than 400 in the Bundesliga. We missed out on nothing with him. Barry Williams 37 Posted 11/07/2025 at 17:33:09 Eric Haworth - 29I'd say the Mykolenko's strength is defending. He was almost forever present in the 4th best defence in the league last season. Stu Darlington 38 Posted 11/07/2025 at 17:40:58 Jim @33, Got to agree, Jim. Doesn't look like he's progressing to me. His tackling technique has looked iffy to me from day one, and I think that's why he ends up with so many injuries.I thought he might have been a promising find when we signed him, but I don't think it's going to happen now. I would say sell but don't think we'll have any takers, so maybe a loan spell is our only option. Robert Tressell 39 Posted 11/07/2025 at 18:58:30 Over an extended period, Patterson has failed to nail down the RB slot in a club absolutely crying out for a new RB. He just isn't very good. He needs to go.It might well be a loan because he's performed so badly that it will be hard to get any fee for him at all.Probably a return to Rangers - or to the Championship - or some mediocre team in a mediocre league overseas.No need to be sentimental. Move one. Just buy a new, quality RB please (maybe two). Brendan Fox 40 Posted 11/07/2025 at 19:19:14 A lot of people believe Patterson is a busted flush which is a fair enough conclusion based on what you have seen to date. In my opinion Patterson and any player need to start being treated like a business asset of a well run and structured business.Patterson cost the club circa £16m in transfer fees alone and he still has 2 years left on his contract, just writing that off is the mistake the past leadership would have made.The current leadership need to do what they can to get a tune out of Patterson by giving him subject to fitness minutes on the pitch at either RB or RW so that he either becomes a profitable asset however unlikely that may seem at present or to increase his potential value in the market to limit the losses.The club needs to start acting like and running like a business if we are ever to get back to the top and compete for the honours we all crave. Mark Taylor 41 Posted 11/07/2025 at 19:21:43 As Robert says, we need a new RB urgently. We also need a new LB if we have ambition (Myko would be a very good back up LB).That makes Patterson 3rd choice(arguably second and a half choice because we won't always have the option of O'Brien at RB), use the friendlies to find out if he is up to that. If not move on and get a proper RB reserve. Bless him, but I don't take Seamus as a serious option, he was being shown up last season and before, and it's another year and a very used clock. Maybe emergency RB but no more. Hopefully coaching beckons for him. Robert Tressell 42 Posted 11/07/2025 at 19:22:54 Brendan, we aren't Sheffield Wednesday and we aren't skint any more. We don't need to jeopardise our already terrible right flank by playing Patterson in the hope he might rise in value from about £3m to £7m.We can just do what other Premier League clubs do and buy good players. We've had the worst right flank in the Premier League two seasons in a row now – it's time to buy. Brendan Fox 43 Posted 11/07/2025 at 19:33:51 Robert, has Patterson ever been given an extended run in any team? I'm not saying he should be 1st choice at RB or RW but maybe if he's fit enough a run of games gives him a fair crack to see if he adds any value to the team and squad, he's still young and with the right coaching and guidance he offers options even as a back up. By all means, if the club buy a first choice RB to start ahead of Patterson, O'Brien and Coleman, then I'm all for that; I just don't think people need to write Patterson off just yet.Imagine having to play behind who Patterson has had to play behind when he's had the chances for the last 3 seasons and people are wondering why he looks poor. Get a good RW in front of him and we may see a different player if given the chance. Mike Gaynes 44 Posted 11/07/2025 at 19:34:09 Correct, Robert. Folks here keep talking about the mistakes this club has made in the past... as if they are remotely relevant.They aren't.The people who made those mistakes are gone. New ownership. New management. New club. New stadium. Wealth far beyond anything the club has ever had, and the in-progress assembly of an entirely new management structure unlike anything we've seen before. What happened before isn't a pattern that needs to be broken. It's history and it's done with. People need to stop thinking it matters. It does not. Dave Abrahams 45 Posted 11/07/2025 at 19:37:04 Robert (42), “We've had the worst right flank in the Premier League two seasons in a row now” Even with O'Brien, a lot of fans favourite, playing there, Robert? Colin Glassar 46 Posted 11/07/2025 at 19:42:53 Only the FSW appears to have rated Patterson. Dyche didn't and it looks like Moyes doesn't…So what are we waiting for? That suddenly he discovers some hidden talent that many don't see? Ryan Holroyd 47 Posted 11/07/2025 at 19:49:20 The main problem is letting go of JonJoe Kenny and spending £16M on a player with similar ability. That's the real issue imo Tony Abrahams 48 Posted 11/07/2025 at 20:09:16 How many games did Patterson actually play for Everton, under Benitez, Colin? Danny O'Neill 49 Posted 11/07/2025 at 20:21:27 Earlier, I said I was in the sell camp. I still am.I can see it going one of two ways.We sell and Patterson, retaining Coleman and Dixon as backup.We keep Patterson as backup alongside Coleman. If we keep him, he would need to play more, which will be difficult as back-up.Either way, we need a new right back.On Jonjoe, I really wanted him to succeed, but he just didn't have it at the top level. And I didn't just watch him for Everton.Mykolenko did well in the second half of the season. He has always been a good defender, nothing more. Maybe it was Moyes's influence, confidence and playing in a more settled back four, and towards the end of the season, he also improved going forward. Ernie Baywood 50 Posted 11/07/2025 at 20:36:01 I still think his performances have been reasonable, considering how often it's happening off the bench and once in a blue moon.He still looks like a very Everton kind of right back. One fans can appreciate for his effort and bravery.Unfortunately he's suffered with injury and the simple fact that no manager has been prepared to give him experience at this level. Both have hindered him and it's unrealistic to expect that he be ready for this league without some learning experiences. I'm now coming around to the idea that he won't make it at this club and, for his own career, should be making a move for regular football. Shame. I quite like the guy. Jay Harris 51 Posted 11/07/2025 at 20:43:33 He is the full back equivalent of Michael Keane, poor concentration and slow on the turn.He is more of a wingback than a fullback and is okay going forward with decent pace and good crossing ability.I am torn on this one. He might work in a 3-5-2 but never in a 4 at the back formation.Sell and recover some money before he ends his contract and goes on a free. Jeff Armstrong 52 Posted 11/07/2025 at 20:45:29 Sell, if a buyer can be found. Not getting what Rangers got for him, that's for sure. Steve Shave 53 Posted 11/07/2025 at 20:52:31 Robert, what do you think about the Coventry lad at right back? Sorry I've forgotten his name but looks good to me, Dutch lad. Mike Gaynes 54 Posted 11/07/2025 at 21:01:58 Tony #48, I assume you know the answer is zero.Rafa was sacked 12 days after Patterson signed. Robert Tressell 55 Posted 11/07/2025 at 21:22:44 Steve S - Van Ewijk looks okay and (like every single other RB being linked) is better than what we have – but is probably not better than Bogle (Leeds), Hulme (Sunderland) and Kyle Walker (Burnley).Across the whole of world football, we must be able to do better than that surely? Derek Powell 56 Posted 11/07/2025 at 21:40:22 Keep and give him a run of games Ian Bennett 57 Posted 11/07/2025 at 21:41:11 Wesley franca still being linked Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb