Sean Dyche must name Nathan Patterson instead of Ashley Young in his Everton starting XI to face Bournemouth.
Everton’s weaknesses in the full-back areas were exposed against Luton Town on Saturday. Both Ashley Young and Vitaliy Mykolenko struggled as the Toffees succumbed to a 2-1 defeat. Nathan Patterson needs to come back into the starting XI this weekend.
At 38-years-old, summer signing Ashley Young can no longer reliably compete at Premier League level week in, week out. So far this season, the veteran former Manchester United defender has started all seven of the Merseyside club’s Premier League matches, and has made nine appearances for the club in total. He has amassed 703 minutes of football in all competitions this season.
Young has even been deployed at right-back in his last three Premier League outings to accommodate the inclusion of Mykolenko on the opposite flank. Patterson, meanwhile, has been restricted to a back up role.
Time for Patterson to shine for Everton
The 21-year-old deserves to come back into the starting line up against the Cherries. Young’s form is not deserving of retaining a starting berth, and Patterson is better equipped to deal with the threat that Bournemouth pose.
In the likes of Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier, David Brooks, Luis Sinisterra, and Dango Outtara, amongst others, the south coast club have talented players who can hurt Everton in the wide areas.
With his pace and energy levels, Patterson can cope with these threats. What’s more, the £28,000-a-week right-back would pose a greater threat than Young going forward. Patterson has the quality to deliver the kind of crosses that Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto can thrive off.
Whilst Young has plenty to offer in terms of useful experience, admirable work rate, and versatility, the time has come for him to play a back up role to Patterson. Sean Dyche needs to take action.
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