Seamus Coleman netted the only goal in the Leeds United game as Everton recorded their fifth win of the season to jump out of the drop zone. With Coleman going strong despite age, Sean Dyche could soon have a selection decision to make as Nathan Patterson nears return.
Sean Dyche has largely kept an unchanged eleven in his three games as Everton manager. The only changes have come as forced changes because Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been out with a tight hamstring. Ellis Simms and Neal Maupay have been tried in the striker’s role against Liverpool and Leeds respectively but there has been little success.
Dyche has stuck with the same midfield and the same defence for all three games. The backline has featured James Tarkowski, Conor Coady, Vitalii Mykolenko and Coleman. The defence has looked stable and the loopholes have been crossed out.
Everton could soon face a Seamus Coleman selection decision as Nathan Patterson nears return
Everton right back Nathan Patterson suffered a knee injury in January which had ruled him out for six to eight weeks. Prior to the injury, Patterson was a favoured starter under Frank Lampard as he showcased fine attacking skills while going forward. The Scottish right back was signed in January 2022 as a successor to Coleman.
He was raw and inexperienced but had pace and flair to develop into a fine right back for the Toffees. Slowly but surely, Patterson was integrated in the first team as the transition from Coleman to Patterson accelerated. Then the 21 year old suffered an ankle injury which saw him miss five games during the September-October period.
The Scotsman was sidelined again with a knee injury as Coleman continued to carry out his duties at right back. Now, Patterson is inching closer to return and played 64 minutes for the Everton U21s against Tottenham Hotspur U21. Dyche provided an update ahead of the Leeds fixture stating that Patterson and James Garner were back on the pitch and would play for the U21 side.
The 51 year old was in attendance at the U21 game. Patterson could soon be available and Dyche would have a selection decision to make between Coleman and the 21 year old. The Irishman has been rock solid in the last three games under Dyche. The former Burnley boss wants his rearguard to be sound and not leave gaps to exploit.
Coleman fits well in that system but doesn’t offer the same pace and the same attacking threat as Patterson. The Irishman is also a vocal leader on and off the pitch and Everton might need his voice during the games when the game takes a wrong turn.
Both right backs offer different set of qualities and it is for Dyche to choose how either player synchronizes in the system.
Will Dyche choose Nathan Patterson over Seamus Coleman?