Sean Dyche must keep £15m Everton player in his starting line-up even after good injury news

Sean Dyche must keep £15m Everton player in his starting line-up even after good injury news

Everton are quite fortunate to boast a handful of really versatile players. Were it not for them, who knows how they might have scrambled through this ongoing injury turmoil.

Whether it be Abdoulaye Doucoure returning to defensive midfield, Dwight McNeil moving into the number ten role, or Ashley Young forced to occupy both full-back spots. Everyone has played their part.

However, few have seen such a dramatic shift in position as James Garner, signed as a midfield maestro for just £15m in 2022. His recent stint at right-back is the result of numerous setbacks in that area.

Nathan Patterson returning from injury

Nathan Patterson is one of the club’s longest-suffering injury casualties, having missed nearly six months of action since rupturing his hamstring in April. And whilst Dyche provided an injury update on Patterson early this month, The Athletic offer the latest on his progress, writing just last week:

‘Patterson took a sizeable step towards a return to first-team action by completing 90 minutes for Everton’s under-21s against their counterparts from League One club Reading on Monday.

‘The 22-year-old Scotland international, who has been out since April with a ruptured hamstring, played at right wing-back for Paul Tait’s side and set up Harrison Armstrong for Everton’s second goal of the match. Everton led 3-0 after 55 minutes but ended up drawing 3-3 — a sign, perhaps, that the second string are at least closely mirroring their first-team counterparts.

‘Having featured twice for the under-21s now, Patterson will be available for senior action when the season resumes next weekend provided he suffers no adverse reaction in training.’ Everton signed Patterson back in 2022 under Benitez for £16m, expected to be the successor to the ageing Seamus Coleman.

James Garner shone at right-back for Everton

Whilst Patterson’s return will be welcomed, he will not be guaranteed a starting spot instantly. After all, Everton manager Sean Dyche has never really favoured the Scotland international even when he was fully fit.

His task is set to be made even harder by the recent emergence of Garner in the backline, who shone in the Toffees’ most recent Premier League match against Newcastle United. Not only was he defensively solid, but he was so close to providing an assist too with a deep, searching cross finding Abdoulaye Doucoure,

whose fine header was adjudged to be offside. Other than that, he dealt well with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, both of whom shared stints attacking his flank.

His excellence was exemplified through his statistics, winning eight out of the 12 duels he competed in whilst also making five tackles, two clearances and two interceptions, via Sofascore. He may not be a long-term option, especially when he offers so much in the midfield, but Patterson will have a task on his hands displacing Garner now.

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